WEST LOOP — After years of planning, developers intend to break ground on the Nobu Hotel project this month, a representative confirmed.
The planned eight-story hotel at Peoria and Randolph streets will bring 83 new hotel rooms and a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and rooftop terrace to Randolph's restaurant row. The restaurant and hotel will break ground this month and open in 2017, a representative confirmed Friday.
The Japanese-themed boutique hotel and restaurant chain co-owned by actor Robert De Niro first announced plans to open a Chicago location in April 2014.
Armando Chacon, president of the West Central Association, said last summer that the Nobu Hotel will add more vitality to Randolph.
"I think there's still a little more sizzle than meat on the bone as it relates to Randolph. The additional foot traffic [the hotel would bring] would be welcomed by any business in the area," Chacon said. "Nobu is a highly regarded brand that will boost the image of the West Loop and Fulton Market District nationally."
Plans in 2014 called for 152 rooms to be developed at the vacant site. Later, a zoning application filed in January of this year called for 93 rooms to be built. Plans were later modified.
The Chicago Plan Commission approved the smaller Nobu Hotel project in July 2015.
In addition to De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa and film producer Meir Teper also own Nobu Hotel and Restaurant.
Mark Hunt is listed as president of 854 W. Randolph LLC, the group developing the hotel, according to zoning records.
The West Loop is home to the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Downtown and Soho House Chicago. A 159-room Ace Hotel on Morgan Street, a 175-room Hoxton Hotel on Lake Street developed by Shapack Partners, a 142-room hotel by Equinox fitness clubs on Randolph and an 11-room bed and breakfast on Washington are also in the works.
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