The Chicago Athletic Association is getting yet another Boka-run dining room, and this one comes with a fresh name: The Ives. Set to open next month, the new spot will join the landmark hotel’s growing lineup of small, chef-driven venues. For Michigan Avenue diners, it is the latest signal that the historic property is doubling down on intimate, reservation-focused experiences alongside its already popular rooftop scene.
What Crain's Reported
According to Crain's Chicago Business, The Ives is expected to debut in May and will become one of the hotel’s on-site restaurants. Crain's identified the concept by name and outlined the planned timing, while noting that a full menu and exact opening date have not yet been released.
Where It Will Sit In The Hotel
Boka’s own listing for the Chicago Athletic Association shows the group now operating multiple outlets inside the building, a clear sign it is rolling out a broader hospitality strategy for the property. As detailed by Boka Restaurant Group, its CAA portfolio already includes long-standing favorites like Cindy's Rooftop, along with newer concepts the company has introduced.
What's Changed Already
The shift is not just on paper. The intimate omakase spot Midōsuji opened last year in the former Milk Room space, while Cherry Circle Room closed as part of the transition. Eater Chicago covered Midōsuji’s debut and the early reshuffling of the hotel’s second-floor dining rooms.
Signs The Ives Is Coming
The Ives is already popping up in hiring materials and event planning documents tied to the Chicago Athletic Association, suggesting Boka is quietly staffing up ahead of opening the doors to the public. Those notices, posted on recruitment sites such as Indeed and other job boards, list The Ives among the outlets covered by the hotel’s events and operations teams.
When To Expect More Details
For now, there is still no public menu and no locked-in first service date. Crain's pointed to a next-month launch, but official reservation links and menu pages have not yet appeared. Diners eager for a first look will want to watch the hotel’s press channels and Boka’s Chicago Athletic Association page for updates as opening day gets closer.
