Eataly

Chicago, Illinois

Once a shuttered ESPN zone in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, this large, 63,000 SF facility would transform into the largest Eataly in the United States.

Working closely with Eataly’s leadership and in-house design team, eleven different consultants and the general contractor, OKW provided exterior design, interior planning, consultant coordination, building code insight, and technical expertise on the design of this remarkable two-story dining and market concept.

As Eataly’s local architect and the primary collaborator with their Italian design team, we worked through dozens of planning concepts and multiple design iterations during the design and documentation process. The work continued with intensive construction administration and consultant coordination during a fast-paced 6-month construction schedule. The completed result is a one-of-a-kind authentic Italian marketplace, unique to Chicago’s already progressive culinary scene.

Photography by Mark Ballogg