July 16, 2008 – Officials of Dick’s Last Resort are stepping up their visits to Chicago, as the restaurant/bar closes in on opening at Marina City.

On a typical day, roughly 30 local construction workers are busy transforming the southwest corner of the concourse level into the latest outpost in Dick’s Dallas-based empire.

A milestone was reached last week when a portion of the south wall was moved back about eight feet to create an outdoor patio with room for 12 tables. Doors on both sides lead to the outdoor area now but soon three eight-foot-wide retractable doors will be installed as well. The company says the aluminum and glass panel doors will be closed when live music is playing.

(Above) This view of the commercial tenant space from near Wacker Drive and State Street on Sunday shows a stretch of the south curtain wall recessed to create an outdoor dining area. Below, a closer angle from Dearborn Street bridge. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

Although not completely ready, the space is starting to take the form of a restaurant and bar. The design by Kurtz Associates, an architectural firm based in Des Plaines, Illinois, puts the kitchen in the northeast corner of the space, dining along the south edge, and the bar in the southwest corner.

Offices, storage, and employee restrooms will encircle the core of the west residential tower that contains elevators and a stairwell. Building around this circular surface has been the most interesting challenge, according to Christy Zirnheld, a company spokesperson who was in Chicago on Wednesday.

Near the kitchen, a service elevator, which has always been there, was renovated for use by DLR. A second entrance will welcome customers taking the elevator from the plaza level. The door closer to the escalators will be exit-only from the kitchen.

An extra layer of sheet rock was installed along the east wall that will separate the band area from residential mailboxes. Four layers of drywall have been installed in the ceiling to dampen noise rising from the area.

They are not sure exactly when they will open, but Zirnheld says there will be a pre-opening event for residents, the details of which are still being worked out.

Company officials had been coming to Marina City every other week but that will be stepped up as they get closer to opening. Next Monday, CEO Steve Schiff will be in town to inspect the space personally.

(Above) According to Dick’s Last Resort, the controversial “garage doors” will look like this, separating the indoor dining area from the outdoor dining area.

 Dick’s Last Resort floor plan