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Metropolitan Brewing Moving Into Avondale Rockwell Complex

By Ariel Cheung | May 25, 2016 6:35am
 Developer Paul Levy bought several industrial buildings and has rehabbed one half of the complex at 3057 N. Rockwell St.
Developer Paul Levy bought several industrial buildings and has rehabbed one half of the complex at 3057 N. Rockwell St.
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DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung

AVONDALE — Like a good lager, some things take a little extra time.

That's why the founders of Metropolitan Brewing don't mind the wait before the Ravenswood brewery moves into a new home in Avondale.

Metropolitan will join Metropolis Coffee Co. in the Rockwell Street complex at 3057 N. Rockwell St., where redevelopment of the industrial complex crossed into its second year this month.

The new brewery and tap room will take up about 20,000 square feet inside the complex, co-founder Tracy Hurst said. Metropolitan will also sell six packs, growlers and kegs on site.

"We're stoked to brew more beer, have space to do more collaborations with other breweries and experiment a little more," Hurst said.

Developer Paul Levy bought several industrial buildings and has rehabbed one half of the complex at 3057 N. Rockwell St., pictured in March. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

The renovations are still in progress, but Metropolitan hopes to move in some time this year.

In 2008, Metropolitan was the first Chicago brewery to open in a decade. The brewery's drafts — almost exclusively lagers — are sold across Illinois and Wisconsin.

"Our goal is to be a regional Midwest craft brewery," Hurst said previously.

The brewery quickly outgrew its facility at 5121 N. Ravenswood Ave. and started scouting for a new home back in 2013 — and that was before Metropolitan had expanded statewide.

Work began in spring 2015 inside the yet-unnamed complex. Developer Paul Levy, known for creating the Bridgeport Art Center, wants to create a hub for local foodies inside the former tannery.

Metropolis opened its 18,000-square-foot roastery in September, a significant upgrade from its Andersonville garage location.

Soon after, Levy unveiled plans for up to 10 businesses, offices and 40 parking spots. Neighbors asked Levy to design a more scenic riverfront along the building, and the developer said he hoped to build a boating dock at the river's edge as well.

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