13-Mar-18 – Four stories of restaurant and banquet space are planned for the north bank of the Chicago River. RPM On The Water will face the river from the south side of the 35-story 321 North Clark. It will open in the summer of 2019, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Monday.

The $50 million upgrade to 321 North Clark will produce three separate venues in 35,000 square feet of space, including a two-story restaurant and a level just for private events. There will be open-air patios and boat slips. Chicago companies Goettsch Partners and Rockwell Group will design the build-out.

Lettuce Entertain You, which manages and licenses 120 restaurants in Illinois and six other states, is behind the project. It will be part of the same brand that includes RPM Steak and RPM Italian in River North.

“This latest restaurant in the RPM family will focus on high-quality seafood and more from chef/partner Doug Psaltis, in addition to the exceptional wine program and impeccable service for which the brand is known,” said Bill Rancic, who co-founded RPM with his wife, television personality Giuliana Rancic.

The project also involves Jerrod, Molly, and R.J. Melman, whose father, Richard Melman, co-founded Lettuce Entertain You in 1971. R.J. Melman is the company’s current president.

(Left) Jerrod Melman, Molly Melman, and R.J. Melman (at left) listen to Mayor Rahm Emanuel speak at a news conference on Monday. Bill and Giuliana Rancic at right. Photo by Brooke Collins.

“In our view, the Chicago River frontage is unique and 321 North Clark...has become one of the most desirable locations in Chicago,” said Larry Levy, developer of 321 North Clark, formerly known as Quaker Oats Building.

Some of the new space was most recently occupied by Bridge House Tavern, which closed last year.