Renovations planned for Jewelers Building at 35 E. Wacker

The owners of the historic Jewelers Building at 35 E. Wacker have unveiled plans to renovate and enhance the building for its tenants. Planned by Clayco, CRG, The Prime Group, Inc.,  and TP Management Co, the Jewelers Building was originally built in 1927 and is a 40-story Beaux-Arts high rise that is a Chicago landmark and within the Michigan–Wacker Historic District.

Designed to elevate the daily experience for tenants and their guests, the renovation will introduce a fine dining restaurant, lobby and rooftop bars, expanded fitness and wellness amenities, and reimagined conference, event and coworking space to the 1927 landmark.

Planned renovations to the property will honor its Beaux-Arts character by activating some of its most recognizable architectural features. Roanoke Hospitality Group, an affiliate of The Prime Group, Inc., will operate and manage the property's new food and beverage offerings, which will be open to the public.  

Under Roanoke Hospitality Group's direction, the culinary program will span multiple venues throughout the building. They include an all-day lobby bar, fine dining restaurant and 25th-floor rooftop bar that will allow guests to reserve the two north-facing colonnaded cupolas on the riverfront corners of the building's iconic central tower. These open, temple-like lanterns – originally designed to screen rooftop water tanks – will serve as intimate outdoor dining venues with unparalleled panoramic views of the Chicago River and city skyline.

Planned building improvements will include an expansion of the building’s fitness center with high-end equipment, dedicated studios for small-group workouts, modern wellness and relaxation amenities, and expanded locker rooms that will offer infrared saunas and cold plunge baths.

For tenants, the second floor will function as an extension of their own offices. A reimagined conference center and meeting hub will offer hospitality-grade event facilities with capacity for over 130 people, state-of-the-art AV systems and dedicated areas for private events. Additionally, a fully equipped coworking lounge will provide flexible work and gathering space that scales with each tenant’s needs.

The building renovations will also include a curated exterior lighting program that will highlight the building's historic architectural details, creating a dramatic nighttime presence that draws guests and passersby to the reimagined dining and hospitality experiences within. Other planned capital improvements include modernized elevators and upgraded security systems. Ownership will also enhance the property’s existing parking garage.

Construction on these enhancements will begin in Fall 2026, with the new restaurant and bar concepts slated to open in 2027.