Renowned Chicago chef Erick Williams isn't just stirring the pot in the kitchen, he's now cooking up major real estate moves in both Hyde Park and Bronzeville. The culinary mastermind behind Virtue is set to open his fifth restaurant in Hyde Park, which will share Mexican culture with patrons thirsty for history and drinks, alongside classic cuisine, Eater Chicago reports. But that's not all: He's also leading a robust plan to build condos and retail spaces on Bronzeville's 47th Street, aiming to infuse the community with new life and opportunities, according to Block Club Chicago.
Williams has his sights set on the fall or early winter for the grand opening of his latest establishment, while Jesus Garcia, a stalwart managing partner at Virtue, will be leading the new venture as the foremost figure. The yet-to-be-named eatery will be located at 5230 S. Harper Avenue, following negotiations with the University of Chicago over the lease. On the real estate front, Williams' plan involves erecting 30 condos and retail stores in a corridor long in need of revitalization, with the project backed by his Bronzeville Corridor LLC.
The five-building residential and commercial complex on 47th Street would feature four stories each, with six three-bedroom condos crowned with balconies and commercial spaces on the ground floors. Williams, asserting his allegiance to the community, remarked on his personal stake in seeing Bronzeville flourish to Block Club Chicago, "It’s important to me that my 6-year-old son is able to walk down the street to go to the store. I had that access as a young boy growing up in Chicago neighborhoods. And many of our lots have been distressed for an extended period of time."
While the price tags on these condos are following the market's lead, similar properties in the vicinity are fetching around $235,000. Down on the street level, Williams has a vision of bringing in Black-owned businesses, such as clothiers, salons, even a fresh-food market, to complement the dining experience provided by what could be another restaurant under his belt. As part of a broader movement towards countering Bronzeville's status as a food desert, the chef-turned-developer said, "The goal is to create more ownership along the corridor. It makes a lighter lift when you’re thinking about developing, and it creates a deeper investment in the community when there is an increase in ownership."
Back in Hyde Park, Williams is collaborating with esteemed mixologist Paul McGee, praised for his bar wizardry in spots like the Whistler and Three Dots and a Dash, to shake things up in the new venue. It's all about crafting an environment that resonates culturally while slinging well-constructed libations. And for the diners who find a sense of home in the art, music, and design of Virtue, Williams aims to mirror that connection for Mexican diners at the forthcoming bar. "From the historical context, there’s so much to uncover," Williams told Eater Chicago.
Meanwhile, the new establishments will slot into the Virtue Hospitality Group, expanding Williams' gastronomic grasp within the city. So, as the year progresses, Chicagoans can look forward to a double dose of development, from a chef who's proving his mettle far beyond the confines of the kitchen.
