The Joffco Square on Roosevelt Is Getting a Burlington and a Planet Fitness taking occupancy to 100%

Image via Nassimi Realty.

Joffco Square, the strip at 555 W. Roosevelt with the Best Buy and the Home Depot behind it, is about to be full again.

Burlington signed a ten year lease for roughly 23,000 square feet in the old Ashley HomeStore space. Planet Fitness took about 22,000 square feet on a twelve year deal. Between them that gets the center to fully leased, according to Nassimi Realty, which owns it. Planet Fitness is aiming for December. Burlington says winter or spring of 2027.

Here is the part we keep thinking about. Nassimi bought this whole 100,000 square foot center in 2024 for $9.25 million. The owner before them had paid $27 million. Two years and two big leases later it is full. Somebody read that block correctly.

So: is a Burlington what that corner needed, or did you have something better in mind for 23,000 square feet?

Source credit: REJournals and What Now Chicago, with the 2024 purchase details from Connect CRE.

One of the Shedd's Rescued Belugas Died This Week

Image from Diego Delso

A sad one from Museum Campus. Shedd Aquarium said Wednesday that Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga, died suddenly on Tuesday. She was one of the whales moved to Chicago this summer from Marineland, the shuttered park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and she had only been at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive since the middle of the month.

Shedd says blood work showed she was dehydrated, that staff gave her fluids and supportive care, and that she died anyway. A necropsy is being done to find out why. The rest of the rescued belugas are still behind the scenes on round-the-clock monitoring rather than out in the public habitat.

We are not marine biologists and are not going to pretend otherwise. Moving whales across a border into a new tank is a hard call that people who do this for a living still argue about. What we do know is that a lot of us have taken a kid through that building.

WTTW and the Sun-Times both have the details.

Have you been over to Shedd since the belugas arrived? Tell us what you saw.

A 100-Vendor Market Is Taking Over the Soldier Field Lawn on Sunday

Stadium Greens area just southeast of Solider Field

Soldier Field is not done with us. After two nights of BTS, Stadium Green (southeast of the stadium) hosts Black on the Block on Sunday, a traveling marketplace of more than 100 Black-owned businesses making its Chicago debut.

It runs 1pm to 7pm at 1410 Special Olympics Drive, outdoors on the grass, with a food court, bars, DJs and a kids' area. Tickets are under twenty dollars depending on where you buy them, kids 12 and under get in free, and there is paid parking on site if you insist on driving the eight blocks.

It is a lawn, so bring a chair. No outside food or drink, no backpacks, bags 16 inches max. Roughly the same drill as the concerts.

Block Club has the fuller writeup on the vendors and how the market got here. Go read it over there.

Mostly we are noting that Museum Campus is having a weekend. Concert traffic Friday night, a market Sunday afternoon. Plan your Roosevelt crossings accordingly.

Going? Tell us in the comments which vendors were worth it.

Source credit: Block Club Chicago, with event details from Black on the Block

Fifteen Minutes to O'Hare, Plus However Long It Takes You to Get to Canal Street

A group of well-connected Chicago names unveiled the O'Hare Flyer last week: a $2.25 billion, privately funded express train running from Terminal 2 to a new depot at 433 W. Van Buren, just west of the Old Post Office, on long-abandoned tracks under Canal Street. Fifteen minutes each way, departures every fifteen minutes from 4am to 10pm, battery-electric trains at up to 80 mph. Fares somewhere north of the Blue Line and south of an Uber.

While this isn't exactly the South Loop it's close. Van Buren and Canal is west of the river and north of Ida B. Wells.  

Which is the part worth noticing from the Sloop. A 15-minute trip to O'Hare is really 15 minutes plus hauling your bag from Dearborn Park or Prairie Avenue over to Canal. That gap is exactly what the Central Connector bus proposal is meant to close.

Also, we have heard this song before. In 2018 Elon Musk was going to dig us a tunnel.

To be fair, the transit people like this one. DePaul's Joe Schwieterman and the High Speed Rail Alliance's Rick Harnish both think it's more practical than the tunnel fantasy, since it mostly reuses existing freight track. Schwieterman still flags the risks: debt financing, cost overruns, and a single track.

Would you use it, or is Canal too far to schlep with a suitcase? Tell us in the comments.

Source credit: Chicago Sun-Times, with additional reporting from Streetsblog Chicago and Axios Chicago.

Riverline Check-In: 1010 S. Wells Is 15 Floors Up, and Its Neighbor Is Stirring at 910 S. Wells

After a decade of watching dirt at Wells between Roosevelt and 9th, the Riverline site is finally doing skyline things. Chicago YIMBY reports that 1010 S. Wells has climbed to 15 of its eventual 21 floors, on the way to 388 apartments along the river.

And it won't be alone for long. Next door at 910 S. Wells, the second tower picked up its piles permit last month, per Urbanize Chicago. That one is planned at 28 stories and 314 feet, which would make it the taller of the pair.

If you've walked the riverwalk stretch south of Harrison lately, you've seen the wall of concrete going up. We're old enough to remember when this was all renderings and promises, so we'll take actual floors.

What do you think of how Riverline is turning out: good river frontage, or a concrete canyon in the making? Tell us in the comments.

Source credit: Chicago YIMBY and Urbanize Chicago.

No Street Race Next Summer: NASCAR Is Moving to Joliet

That's a wrap on the Grant Park street race, at least for now. NASCAR told the city last week that the 2027 race is moving out to a speedway in Joliet, set for June 25 to 27. The Sun-Times reports Ald. Brian Hopkins summed up the reasons as "75% scheduling and 25% money": the downtown dates kept crashing into July 4 weekend, and a $15 million state grant never came through.

So no barricades on Columbus next summer, no engines echoing off the museums, and no closing DuSable Lake Shore Drive for weeks. City Hall says it's open to bringing the race back, maybe in 2028.

We've heard four summers' worth of opinions on this one, from "world-class showcase" to "why can't we get to the Field Museum in July." Full story at the Sun-Times, with more at Block Club and WBEZ.

So, Sloopers: relieved, or will you actually miss it? Tell us in the comments.

South Loop Round-Up: Vitalogy, 626 Wabash, Da Pope T-Shirt, Southbridge & Sailing

Vitalogy bar brings new life to Printer’s Row – Lisa Shames at Eater Chicago reports that owners Jennifer Wilson and James Shields transformed the ground floor of a 142‑year‑old building in Printer’s Row into Vitalogy, a welcoming neighborhood bar. Featuring a long wooden bar, reclaimed fixtures and even a hydroponic herb garden, the South Loop hangout offers global beers, Chicago‑inspired cocktails (don’t miss the “Second City Milk Punch” with Malört) and a small‑plates menu developed by a chef friend. Wilson and James Shields say they want Vitalogy to be a community hub for the South Loop, with happy hour deals, cocktail classes and live music. Source: Eater Chicago – Lisa Shames 

Southbridge celebrates new retail anchors with ribbon cutting – Jamie Nesbitt Golden at Block Club Chicago reports that Mayor Brandon Johnson and community leaders gathered to open 23rd Place at Southbridge, a mixed‑use development bridging Chinatown, Bronzeville and the South Loop. Beloved brunch spot Batter & Berries and fitness studio 24Life Training & Fitness are the first retail tenants at the 15‑acre site, which will eventually include more than 850 homes and hundreds of public‑housing units. The city recently approved tax‑increment financing for the next phase of construction. Source: Block Club Chicago – Jamie Nesbitt Golden 

626 South Wabash rises above the ‘L’ – Daniel Schell at Chicago YIMBY writes that construction crews at 626 South Wabash Avenue have poured concrete up to the underside of the second level. When finished, the 19‑story tower will bring 164 units (co‑living suites, efficiency units and two‑bedrooms) and ground‑floor retail to the South Loop. Co‑developers DAC Development and Melrose Ascension Capital hope to attract students, while a podium will provide parking and retail space. The project started this spring and aims to open in fall 2026. Source: Chicago YIMBY – Daniel Schell  

South Loop family gifts “Da Pope” T‑shirt to Pope Leo XIV – In a feel‑good story by Chris Tye and Matthew Cramer for CBS Chicago, Marcel and Ann Munoz and their children wore navy blue “Da Pope” shirts to a mass outside Rome and presented a shirt to Pope Leo XIV. The Chicago family’s playful gift – a nod to Bears fandom – went viral after the Pope’s Instagram account shared a photo of him holding the shirt. The family hopes this Chicago blessing will bring good luck to the Bears and charmed South Loop residents. Source: CBS Chicago – Chris Tye & Matthew Cramer 

The equalizing spirit of a sailboat – Chicago Magazine’s Edward McClelland profiles attorney Patrick LoDuca, who watched sailboat races from his South Loop condo until he joined the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program at Burnham Harbor. Thanks to specialized boats that allow sailors to control sails with minimal hand strength, LoDuca now navigates Lake Michigan on his own, experiencing the inclusive and liberating nature of sailing. Source: Chicago Magazine – Edward McClelland 

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Speedy Saturday at NASCAR

 

(Hat tip: L, I, & CN)

Cafe Deko Bringing More Caffeine and Vibes to Printers Row (715 S. Dearborn)

Looks like we have a new cafe coming to Printers Row:

The spot will be called Cafe Deko and seems to be a second incarnation of their original location at 800 W Diversey.  Judging from our sleuthing on their website, yelp, and socials it seems like their vibe is a stylish coffee shop with small sandwiches, croissants, and snacks.  So why the vibes -  check out this video from the original location: 

   

This definitely seems to be bringing something different to the neighborhood.  Couple the vibes of Cafe Deko with the high ceilings and history of M.A. Donohue & Co. Building it seems like a match made in heaven. 

It's unclear when they're looking to open, but since this is the space vacated by Grail Cafe a couple years back, it seems like it wouldn't require major structural changes.  

If you're really curious on the concept and history, we found this 40 minute youtube video where a local realtor talks to the entrepreneur and owner - George:

Fun stuff - looking forward to having Cafe Deko in the Sloop!

Bad ROI: Cancelled Plans for Research Hub at The 78 Cost Illinois Taxpayers $30M

Well this doesn't seem good (via WBEZ):

Seven years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner invited dignitaries to a 62-acre plot of land in the South Loop and offered a bold promise: The long-vacant property would be transformed, with a high-tech research facility that would give a massive economic boost to the city of Chicago.

The University of Illinois would operate the proposed $285 million facility, dubbed the Discovery Partners Institute. It would sit on an acre south of Roosevelt Road along the east bank of the Chicago River donated by the property owner, Nadhmi Shakir Auchi, an Iraqi British billionaire who has long been denied entry to the United States as a result of past criminal convictions.

But the university pulled the plug in October on the planned research hub at the sprawling site that has sat vacant for decades and is now being marketed as The 78. The U. of I. said it would turn its vision to the south and become part of a quantum computing research park that Gov. JB Pritzker wants to build on a vacant, 300-acre site at East 79th Street and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, once occupied by U.S. Steel.

That decision means Illinois taxpayers are now out of more than $30 million, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show.

And the losses for taxpayers still could grow, sources say, to $40 million.

This property has been this biggest quagmire for the neighborhood, government, and numerous ambitious business people.  Our first post back from taking a bit of a hiatus pondered the question "The 78: Will 2025 Finally be the Year?"  So far the answer has been an expensive, resounding no!

This giant empty piece of land that is so visible from so many vantage points across the Sloop is tantalizing to dream about the possibilities.  But so far, it's just been an expensive, bureaucratic nightmare with big dreams but little return on investment.     

Grazie, Forno Mauri!

Need an escape? Want to transport yourself to Italy? Or pretend to? I've got an idea. Pay a visit the new hot spot pizzeria in Printer's Row, Forno Mauri! I promise you that it's less expensive than a flight to Italy. 

I know I know - we've got a lot of pizza in Chicago, and definitely in the Sloop. But, hear me out. Newly opened in December 2024, Forno Mauri does it right, almost just like you're in Italy.

We can thank Maurizio Michi for the thin crusted deliciousness. Michi is also the owner of Sofi Italian, which happens to be right next door. The ingredients used in both restaurants are imported straight from Italia, and give a sense of flavor that you don't find just anywhere. Of the three pizzas I tried at Forno Mauri, my favorite was the Emiliana. Check it out and show our local Sloopin' eateries some love!

Riverline Development Starts Construction at 1010 S. Wells

The Riverline development was announced way back in 2015 and almost 10 years later the project is finally underway at 1010 S. Wells (via Urbanize Chicago):

Renderings have been released for 1010 S. Wells, the first building to be constructed at Riverline in the South Loop.  Developed by CMK Companies, the project will be located along the South Branch of the Chicago River at the intersection of S. Wells St and W. 10th St. 

With Gensler behind the updated design, the 21-story tower will stand 227 feet tall. As part of the redesign, the building has shifted from 286 condos to 386 apartments. The building’s parking count has been reduced from 240 spaces to 182 parking spaces. The building will include 2,904 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. 

The article goes onto say that there will be retail that will be accessible via Wells and most importantly this will also have a public river walk that hopefully one day will allow you to walk from Harrison all the way south to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.

While CMK's buildings are usually modern and glassy - they're pretty straightforward.  This one looks a little better in our opinion - maybe because it's on the river?!?  

This isn't the only project CMK is working on at the moment - they have four (yes 4!) buildings under construction in the Sloop (according to Yimby Chicago - 1730 Wabash (red) – 1700 Wabash (green) – 1630 Wabash (yellow) – 1717 Michigan (orange):  

Is Something New Cooking at Old Cuatro Restaurant Space (2010 S. Wabash)?

Wow!  It's been awhile since we've heard about anything cooking at the old restaurant space where Cuatro (2030 S. Wabash) lived.  This article in Block Club Chicago says something could be coming - but after reading this feels like it still has some hurdles to clear:  

After 15 years of sitting empty, the building formerly occupied by a popular Latin fusion restaurant could become a new restaurant later this year.

Joji Tirumalareddy told Block Club he aims to open Rhumbar at 2030 S. Wabash Ave. in six months. Tirumalareddy has been trying to open the bar and restaurant in south suburban Frankfort since 2019, but pandemic-related delays and concerns from nearby residents has slowed progress.

Tirumalareddy has owned the South Loop property for several years. He began work on the restaurant in 2020 but the pandemic forced him to put everything on hold. Now he’s ready to get back to work, recently applying for a liquor license under Tulips Chicago LLC.

Tirumalareddy is in the process of renovating the kitchen and dining area so patrons will be able to get a glimpse of the “behind the scenes” action. He envisions a restaurant serving upscale American bar food, with exposed brick walls and big screen televisions.

For those who are curious, check out this post from 2010 about Cuatro's last stand.

We're curious to see if Rhumbar becomes real - would be nice!

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Head in the Sand