“The Old Post Office’s owner plans to bring live music and other cultural events in and around — and possibly even on top of — the riverfront behemoth.
“Developer 601W Cos. has formed a partnership with 16” on Center to create a broader Old Post Office District in the fast-changing southwest corner of the Loop. The ambitious plan will bring food, drinks and entertainment to the 2.8 million-square-foot complex, which is in the late stages of a $800 million-plus redevelopment of the long-vacant building.
“Chicago-based restaurant and entertainment group 16” on Center is known for the Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall music venues, Revival Food Hall in the Loop and restaurants and bars such as The Promontory and Saint Lou’s Assembly.
“The project includes a more than 18,000-square-foot food hall on the ground floor, accessible from the building’s historic lobby and from a large riverfront plaza. That outdoor space along with the lobby and potentially its 3.5-acre rooftop park could be used for live music, culinary events and other arts and entertainment, according to 16” on Center. The events space, as well as the food hall, will be open to the public.
“‘This partnership with The Old Post Office is a natural fit for us; it’s built around the adaptive re-use of a beautiful piece of Chicago history and is right in line with our mission to build a community in the neighborhoods we reside,’ Bruce Finkelman, managing partner at 16” on Center, said in a statement.
“More than 80% of space in the former main post office space has been leased.
“Tenants that have moved in or signed leases in the building at 433 W. Van Buren St. include Uber, Walgreens, PepsiCo and Ferrara Candy.
“The first tenants moved there in October, and when full, the ultrawide building is expected to have 15,000 to 16,000 workers daily. The Old Post Office’s rebirth is part of $2 billion-plus in real estate developments coming to the small pocket of downtown, which are expected to bring more than 22,000 new office workers to the area in the next couple of years.” (Ori, 6/4/20)
Read the full story at Chicago Tribune
Old Post Office partners with team behind Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall to add concerts, cultural events and food hall, Ryan Ori, Chicago Tribune, 6/4/20