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Take a Look Behind the Scenes at the Massive 'New City' Mega-Complex

By Paul Biasco | March 6, 2015 5:38am

LINCOLN PARK — The $265 million mixed-use New City development that will transform the southern end of Lincoln Park is on schedule for a fall opening, officials said.

The mega-complex, which spans 8½ acres at the North Avenue, Clybourn Avenue and Halsted Street intersection, will feature a 14-screen movie theater, a Mariano's grocery store, a bowling alley, 40,000 square feet of restaurant space and more.

The project has been eight years in the making and includes over 1 million square feet of building space.

"While we are sympathetic to the Ricketts family and the Cubs  for the scheduling difficulties that they are facing up at Wrigley Field, we are very proud of Power Construction and our subcontractors that they retain the schedule on a very difficult project," said Michael Drew, a principal at Structured Development, the group behind New City.

The 199-unit residential apartment tower. (All photos by DNAinfo's Paul Biasco)

During a tour Thursday, Drew pointed out that the project survived the economic downturn in 2008 and the loss of a lending and institutional partner.

Most of the development is set to open in September.

The Mariano's at New City will be the largest Mariano's in the city when it opens in October.

The grocer was the first tenant to sign onto the project eight years ago, despite the Whole Foods just two blocks away.

Drew said he asked Bob Mariano, CEO of the grocery chain, about the proximity before he signed on.

"He just shook his head and said, 'No, they aren't my competition. My competition is Dominick's and Jewel,'" Drew said. "Well, you can see how he treated that competition. He drove them out of town."

Bob Mariano, CEO of Roundy's

The future site of Mariano's inside New City

The plans include a 1,000-car parking garage as well as a 199-unit apartment building. Drew said there are 2 acres of plazas and public space.

The total retail space is about 370,000 square feet.

Other retail shops include Dick's Sporting Goods, Z Gallerie and It's Sugar.

Restaurants include Adobe Gilas, Yard House, Lyfe Kitchen, Earls Kitchen & Bar and a pizza restaurant within the bowling alley.

The 14-screen ArcLight Cinema will be the first for the theater chain in Chicago. The Los Angeles-based company is based on a reserved seating plan, and there is no advertising in its theaters.

The theater will include a full bar and cafe. Wine, beer and cocktails will be available in designated lounge areas during select screenings. The company is planning to screen a series of Chicago-based documentaries in October and will be showing films ranging from blockbusters to classics.

The future site of the 14-screen ArcLight Cinema

Kings Bowl will feature 16 lanes, a full-service restaurant, game lounge, outdoor patio and 80-foot bar.

Kings currently has a location in Rosemont's MB Financial Park.

"Kings is pulling out all the stops with special features for the Lincoln Park location," said Patrick Lyons, president and founder of Kings Bowl.

That includes late-night DJs and a dance floor after 10 p.m.

The interior of a two-bedroom apartment at New City

The bathroom of a two-bedroom apartment at New City.

The kitchen of a two-bedroom apartment at New City

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