North Avenue between the Chicago River and Halsted is one of the busiest areas of the city outside of downtown. It’s a destination retail corridor, featuring Binny’s, Apple, Whole Food’s, Crate & Barrel, The Container Store, Restoration Hardware, and even a car dealership. Adding to the mix this September is NewCity, a one million square foot retail, dining, and residential complex.
The mixed-use development is taking over the space between North Halsted and Clybourn Avenue, turning the triangular plot south of the Red Line stop into a destination in its own right. There will be an apartment tower, a movie theater, bowling center, grocery store, retail shops, restaurants, and a two-acre courtyard in the center that features a fountain and is open to the public.
The residences at NewCity are, frankly, gorgeous. With floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies they capitalize on the building’s sightlines. Upscale amenities include in-unit washers and dryers, quartz countertops, CAT-6 wiring, plank flooring, ceramic tile baths, and, most importantly, built-in wine racks in the kitchen’s island. There’s a screening room, a fitness center, an outdoor grilling area with fire pit, a dog run, and an outdoor pool and spa. They’ve got car sharing on-site, a bike parking and repair station, storage lockers, and a cyber cafe.
The tenants will be a built-in audiece for the collection of local, national, and even international businesses moving in next door. They can fill that wine rack with choices from Mariano’s, which was the first tenant to sign the lease. The local grocery chain will be opening its largest store on the second floor, with options for not only getting your groceries, but also dining-in.
Other tenants include:
- ArcLight Cinemas: The Los Angeles-based theater group features reservation-only seating, expanded cuisine, and no advertising – at all. None in their theaters and none in the lobbies. They’ll be celebrating their Windy City debut with a film festival of Chicago documentaries.
- Kings Bowling & Entertainment: The Boston group’s Rosemont location has been a popular anchor for MB FInancial Park. Now they’re planning on doing the same in Lincoln Park. Feauturing two bars and pizza available off the public plaza, this will be more than just a place to shoot for strikes or spares.
- Adobe Gila’s Margarita Fajita Cantina: Kings Rosemont neighbor will be joining them in Chicago. They say they’re a great restaurant by day and a party by night, and with 64 oz “Mug O Ritas” it’s easy to see why.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods: The second city location for Dick’s (their first being in the South Loop) will offer about 60,000 square feet of sporting goods choices for those active Lincoln Park-ers.
- Earls Kitchen & Bar: Coming all the way from Vancouver, Earl’s offers upscale casual cuisine. While it’s a fairly large chain with 65 locations, each space is individual designed.
- Lyfe Kitchen: Chicagoans are already familiar with this local spot that offers locally-sourced cuisine in LEED-certified restaurants. Not only are they healthier for the environment, with calories capped at 600 per menu item, they’re healthier for you, too.
- IT’Sugar: With supersized candy and over 200 choices by the pound, this shop is the opposite of Lyfe Kitchen. But hey, after eating so well you’ve got room for some sweetness in your life.
- Z Gallerie: After you sign the lease at your new apartment you’ll be able to decorate it from A to Z.
- Yard House: Craft beer fans will have their pick at this bar featuring over 100 taps.
- Nando’s Restaurants: This restaurant will be introducing South African cuisine to Chicago, with locations in the West Loop, Lakeview, and NewCity.
Despite economic downturns, two record-breaking winters, and the loss of a partner midway through the development, the complex is on target to open this fall. Stay tuned for developments as the project gets closer to completion.