Willis Tower Unveils Latest Changes
A new five-story retail and entertainment space is just the latest addition that is part of a $500 million makeover.
CHICAGO—EQ Office, the US office portfolio company wholly owned by Blackstone, just unveiled plans for Catalog, a five-story dining, retail and entertainment complex that it will locate at the base of Willis Tower.
The name is a historical nod to the Sears Roebuck Co., which revolutionized American retail with its iconic catalog before developing and opening the 110-story tower in 1973. Designed by Gensler, Catalog will open to the public in mid-2020 and offer the more than 15,000 people who work at Willis Tower, as well as Chicago residents and visitors, a carefully selected group of restaurants, first to market retailers, entertainment options and fitness boutiques.
The new development is part of Willis Tower’s more than half a billion dollar renovation plan, the most comprehensive transformation project in its history. It continues a trend among downtown owners to transform their class A properties into true community destinations that also provide the sorts of amenities that make it easier for tenants to attract and retain new talent.
“Catalog represents everything we love about Chicago, from the energy of the neighborhoods to the diversity of the city’s design and architecture,” says David Moore, senior vice president and portfolio director, EQ Office. “The space recognizes the pace of change occurring in everyone’s lives and our need to drive lifestyle and experience into the workday. With the addition of Catalog, we are furthering our mission to create a new Willis Tower as an urban destination that is the heart of downtown, capturing the vibrancy of the city, and delivering the best experiences of life and work to residents and visitors of Chicago.”
Urbanspace, a leading food hall operator with existing locations in New York City and roots in London. will anchor Catalog and occupy more than 14,000 square feet, making it one of the largest retailers in the building.
“Urbanspace creates immersive public markets where creativity and community flourish,” says Eldon Scott, president of Urbanspace. “The redevelopment of Willis Tower will provide artisans, entrepreneurs and chefs with the perfect setting to accomplish all of this and more.”
The base of the tower will have more than 300,000 square feet of new retail, dining and entertainment space that will include new dining options like Shake Shack, Sweetgreen, Luke’s Lobster and Taylor Gourmet, along with 150,000 square feet of new space for tenant use and a 30,000 square-feet deck and garden.