CHICAGO — Eli’s Cheesecake Co. announced that it is building a 42,000 square foot addition to its existing facility on Chicago’s northwest side. The company said the increased space will allow it to expand its bakery operations, including adding production and packaging lines, warehouses and welfare areas.
When completed, the entire facility will encompass 104,000 square feet and include company offices and Eli’s Cheesecake Bakery Café, which is open to the public.
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said: “This expansion will allow them to offer even more delicious treats and enhance their reputation by giving them the ability to create new ones in the future. We know that once this new space is complete, it will provide them with many new and lucrative opportunities.”
The expansion team includes architect Michael Aragona of Aragona Architects, the original architect who designed Eli’s first bakery in 1996. Summit Design is the general contractor and Joel Friedland of Brit Properties is the owner’s representative.
The company says the project meets sustainability initiatives set by the city by providing a landscape approach that exceeds energy standards and achieves 60% of native or adapted species.
As part of this project, Eli’s has increased its employment from 225 to 300 and has made a commitment to carry out 65 construction jobs. The company said it has signed a newly added 6(b) tax incentive agreement with the city of Chicago.