The southwest corner of State and Erie has been a busy place in recent months as crews work to finish 22,000 square feet of new retail from developer Jenel Management Corporation. The two-story commercial building will be anchored by healthy, vegetarian-friendly True Food Kitchen and will represent the restuarant chain’s first foray into the Chicago market.
News of True Food coming to 9 W Erie first broke in late 2014 but the outward appearance of the plan has evolved since then. The updated design from architect Antunovich Associates now looks considerably more sleek and purposeful and less like something from the late 1990s. Though the project's diminutive two-story stature is somewhat unexpected given the site’s prime downtown location and DX-7 zoning, it does manage to address the street nicely and is an improvement over the parking lot that previously occupied the bustling corner.
According to Jenel’s website, 9 W Erie will also be leasing space to fitness-oriented tenants Yoga Six and Barry’s Bootcamp. The building won’t be completed until this fall so River Northers will have to wait several months before sampling one of True Food’s quinoa burgers after a hot vinyasa session.
- New River North Retail, True Food Kitchen On the Way [Curbed Chicago]
- Arizona-Based Health Food Restaurant Chain Heading to River North [Eater Chicago]
- River North archives [Curbed Chicago]
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