Woodlawn Central Boutique Hotel
160-room boutique hotel planned as part of the $580 million Woodlawn Central mixed-use development in the Woodlawn neighborhood. The hotel will occupy one of two 14-story towers on church-controlled property. First phase cost is $134 million and includes the hotel tower plus a residential tower with 104 apartments. Development is backed by the Apostolic Church […]
Bally’s Chicago Casino Resort
$1.7 billion permanent casino resort in River West on a 30-acre plot. Will include a 500-room hotel, 3,400 slot machines, 173 gaming tables, a 3,000-seat theatre, 10 food and beverage outlets, and a 2-acre public riverside park. Gaming floor opens first in spring 2027; hotel, theatre, and additional facilities to open in phases through 2027-2028. […]
Cafe Purrfection
Cat cafe concept featuring a reservable cat room with up to 10 adoptable cats in partnership with Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Wheaton. Menu includes coffees, energy drinks, refreshers, and pre-packed foods. Location will be in the Block 59 area on Highway 59 between Highway 88 and Block 59, near Fox Valley Mall. Owner Caroline […]
Astoria Cafe and Bakery
Owner Tanja Jeftenic is seeking a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Geneva, IL for her Balkan cuisine and desserts cafe, currently operating out of a ghost kitchen in Lisle. No specific location or opening date set yet. Features Eastern European/Serbian sweet and savory dishes including cakes, cookie trays, komplet lepinja, and goulash.
Colectivo Coffee
Colectivo Coffee is planning a new cafe in Roscoe Village at 2032 W Roscoe Street, near the intersection of N Seeley Avenue. Construction/work is underway. Opening is expected sometime in fall 2026. This follows their recent Lakeview opening. The cafe will serve coffees, espressos, teas, hot chocolates, and all-day breakfast sandwiches.
The Woodlawn
The Woodlawn is transitioning from a pop-up to a full-service restaurant and event space in the Grand Crossing neighborhood. The space will serve brunch, lunch, and dinner with handcrafted cocktails. Menu items expected include tacos, wings, flatbread pizzas, salads, loaded sandwiches, desserts, and charcuterie boards. Renovations are currently underway at the northeast corner of S […]
Andis: Cafe and Luncheonette
New cafe and luncheonette concept planned for the first floor of the PNC Centre tower in the Loop. Owner Joshua Fossitt of We’re Here Hospitality filed a liquor license application. No opening date set yet; more details expected in coming weeks.
Pollyanna Brewing
Pollyanna Brewing is opening a new brewery location at 4055 W Peterson Avenue in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood, taking over the former Alarmist Brewing space which closed in February 2026. This will be the fifth Chicagoland location for Pollyanna, which also operates in Lemont (two locations), Roselle, and St. Charles. Opening is planned for Q4 […]
Portillo’s
Portillo’s is opening its 5th Chicago location in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, steps from Wrigley Field. The ~4,600 sq ft restaurant will seat 60+ guests and feature the chain’s first-ever walk-up ordering window. Opening is planned for ‘next year’ (2027) with no exact date confirmed. Menu will include Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, and […]
Bean Bar
Bean Bar is a full-service cafe and lounge concept (breakfast, lunch, coffee, baked goods, co-working, dinner, cocktails) founded in Northbrook in 2025. This would be their second location, in a long-vacant building in Highland Park’s Ravinia business district. Owners are investing approximately $1.5 million into the property. City Council is considering a $100,000 exterior improvement […]