- Credibility:
WEST LOOP — The long-awaited — and much delayed — 11-story Nobu Hotel is finally set to make its debut this summer in the West Loop.
The luxury hotel chain — co-owned by actor Robert De Niro — is set to bring 115 new hotel rooms and a 10,000-square-foot signature Nobu restaurant and an “Nobu on the Roof” indoor bar and outdoor terrace to Randolph’s restaurant row.
The Japanese-boutique hotel and restaurant at 854 W. Randolph St. will open its doors during the summer, confirmed Spiro Tsaparas, CEO of Centaur Construction and contractor on the project.
On Tuesday, Noelani Soto, spokeswoman for Nobu Hotel Chicago, said the hotel is slated to open on July 31.
Soto said the the architecture of the new building will “effortlessly blend” old-world Japanese art and “new world utilitarian.”
The hotel will also include “meeting and event space, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a full-service spa,” Soto said.
In addition to De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa and film producer Meir Teper also own Nobu Hotel and Restaurant.
Last week, Chef Matsuhisa told the UK publication the Week that the Chicago hotel was set to open this year.
The opening is years in the making — plans for the hotel were first announced in April 2014.
Initial plans called for 152 rooms to be developed at the vacant site. The hotel was eventually modified before it was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission in July 2015.
The project held a profile ceremonial groundbreaking with DeNiro in June 2016, but work didn’t start until months later. In December 2017, construction on the project was halted after M Development sought a $52.5 million loan to complete the project, according to a report by Crain’s.
One month later, M Development — led by Mark Hunt — sold its stake to RCD Resorts for $20 million, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Armando Chacon, president of the West Central Association, said he was looking forward to the opening of the hotel, which the neighborhood group fought for early on.
Chacon said the well-known and highly regarded hotel brand would have a significant economic impact to Randolph Street by bringing foot traffic and more people to businesses already in the neighborhood.
When Nobu opens it will add to the burgeoning luxury hotel scene in West Loop.
The West Loop is also home to the Ace Hotel and Soho House. The Hoxton Hotel will open its 182-room building in April. And on Monday, a team of investors’ unveiled plans to convert a dairy supply facility into a 13-story Standard Hotel in the neighborhood in a real estate crowdfunding campaign.
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