31-Aug-16 – Nearly a year after it was announced, work will likely start soon on a Japanese steakhouse in the southwest corner of Hotel Chicago.

A building permit was issued on Monday for renovation of a 12,730 square foot space at Marina City in River North that will be used by Katana.

Innovative Dining Group, based in Los Angeles, announced the new location on September 14, 2015, saying Chicago was selected over sites considered in New York and Miami. At the time, the company believed the restaurant would open this summer. Reached on Tuesday, IDG’s marketing director, Jillian Peterson Dukes, said the Chicago location should open next February or March.

Vacant since December 20, 2014, the space was previously used by BIN 36, a restaurant that moved to a slightly smaller space on North Jefferson Street in the West Loop last year.

According to the building permit, the estimated cost of the build-out, which will include new windows, is $650,000. The architect is Jonathan Splitt. LG Construction + Development Group is the general contractor.

A patio was recently built for Katana by LaSalle Hotel Properties, the real estate investment trust that owns Hotel Chicago and most of the commercial property at Marina City.

Katana will offer modern Japanese food grilled on bamboo skewers over an open flame. The restaurant will have a sushi bar and offer a selection of premium sake.

“Katana will cater to stylish urbanites, gallerists, and professionals in the city’s emerging tech hub,” according to IDG. (Left) A Katana restaurant in West Hollywood, California.

Work continues on breakfast place on other side of hotel

Meanwhile, on the State Street side of Marina City, work continues on the newest location of Yolk, the founder and CEO of which was hoping to be serving breakfast to tourists by now.

Taki Kastanis is leasing a 3,781 square foot space in the southeast corner of Hotel Chicago. LaSalle built a patio for Yolk, too, along with a special entrance from the hotel lobby.

According to a building permit issued on June 7, the cost of the build-out is $400,000. (Right) Main entrance to Yolk, photographed on July 20 by Joe McCune.