Chicago Retail for Lease - South Chicago
TURNKEY RESTAURANT SPACE | PRIME SOUTH LOOP LOCATION
43–51 E. Cermak Road | Chicago, IL 60616
The Opportunity
A rare opportunity to lease fully built-out, high-capacity restaurant space in one of Chicago’s most active and strategically located commercial corridors.
The property offers 3,162 SF of total restaurant space, with the flexibility to accommodate either a single operator leasing the entire premises or 2 separate restaurant concepts occupying 1,581 SF each.
Whether you are looking to establish a flagship location, expand an existing brand, launch a new concept, or secure a smaller-format restaurant space with substantial existing infrastructure, the property offers a flexible and efficient path to opening.
Operators may lease:
Option 1: 1,581 SF restaurant space
Option 2: 1,581 SF restaurant space
Option 3: The entire 3,162 SF premises
This flexible configuration creates an opportunity for two independent restaurant operators to occupy the property side by side or for one tenant to control the entire space and potentially operate multiple concepts from a single location.
The Space
3,162 SF of purpose-built restaurant space designed to support high-volume food preparation and restaurant operations.
This is not a traditional vanilla-box delivery. The property features substantial existing commercial kitchen infrastructure, including:
Two 20-foot hoods and one 9-foot hood
Fryers, ovens, and high-output cooking lines
Two walk-in coolers
Tilt skillet and deli slicer
High-capacity dishwashers
Existing infrastructure supporting multiple preparation and service lines
The existing layout and infrastructure provide operators with the opportunity to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with building a restaurant from the ground up.
Whether occupied by one flagship operator or divided between two complementary restaurant concepts, the property is designed to support efficient, high-output operations.
Bring your concept and finishing touches and take advantage of a restaurant space where much of the critical infrastructure is already in place.
Lease Terms
Base Rent: $32.00/SF NNN
Estimated NNN Expenses:
Real Estate Taxes: $12.00/SF
Insurance & CAM: $6.00/SF
Total Estimated NNN Expenses: $18.00/SF
Total Estimated Occupancy Cost: $50.00/SF
NNN expenses are based on the total approximately 3,162 SF premises and would be allocated proportionately for a tenant leasing one of the approximately 1,581 SF restaurant spaces.
Building highlights
The Location
Positioned along a high-traffic, high-visibility corridor at the convergence of the South Loop, Chinatown, McCormick Place, and Chicago’s lakefront.
Half block from multiple hotels
Steps from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena
Strong convention and event-driven traffic throughout the year
Dense mix of apartments, condominiums, and senior housing
Significant daytime population supporting lunch, takeout, and delivery demand
Convenient access to Downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods
The location is well suited for dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and high-volume service models, with demand generated by a diverse mix of neighborhood residents, commuters, convention attendees, hotel guests, tourists, and event traffic.
Proven Restaurant Corridor
The property benefits from a long-standing history as a restaurant location, dating back to its original use by White Castle in the 1930s—a testament to the enduring strength of the Cermak Road corridor for food-service uses.
Who This Is For
Established restaurant groups seeking a new Chicago location
Operators looking for approximately 1,581 SF of turnkey restaurant space
Larger operators seeking the entire approximately 3,162 SF premises
Groups interested in operating multiple concepts from one location
Chefs and restaurateurs seeking a lower-buildout, faster-launch opportunity
Restaurant brands looking to establish a presence near McCormick Place, Chinatown, and the South Loop
Opportunities offering this combination of existing restaurant infrastructure, flexible space configurations, and strategic location are increasingly difficult to find in the Chicago market.
