Liam Krehbiel, founder of Topography Hospitality, is pushing ahead with plans for The Lake, a private social club in River North that he wants open by September. The five-story clubhouse is rising on the site where two older brick storefronts near Superior and Wells were demolished, and the project is being pitched as a members-focused hangout built around dining, bars and a small cluster of guest rooms.
The Plan And Timeline
Krehbiel is targeting a September launch for The Lake, framing it as a private members' club centered on hospitality rather than a late-night free-for-all. That timeline tracks with an aggressive pre-opening push as work accelerates at the site, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
Construction And Permits
At 205 West Superior, construction has advanced beyond the foundation stage into sub-grade excavation after the city issued a full building permit in late May 2025 with a listed construction cost of about $16.8 million. Clearing the way for the new club meant tearing down two vintage brick buildings at the corner of Superior and Wells, according to Chicago YIMBY.
What The Club Will Include
Pre-opening materials and job ads describe The Lake as roughly 26,000 square feet, with plans for three distinct restaurants, two cocktail bars, a members' wine cellar, a roof terrace, three guest rooms and a compact spa. The descriptions frame the space as a home base for recurring member business and private events rather than a mass-market nightclub, as outlined in a posting on LinkedIn.
Krehbiel's Hospitality Track Record
Krehbiel launched Topography Hospitality in 2021 and is listed as a co-owner of Ballyfin Demesne, a luxury hotel in Ireland, giving him experience with high-end hospitality projects. Those roles appear in corporate filings and proxy statements that spell out his involvement with Topography and other hospitality interests, according to the SEC.
River North Context
In a neighborhood already packed with bars, restaurants and clubs, The Lake has grabbed attention in part because it replaced older facades on the block. The full building permit shows no dedicated parking spaces for the project and places the new clubhouse within easy reach of CTA and bus routes, as reported by Urbanize Chicago.
Hiring And Next Steps
Pre-opening hiring is in motion. The team has been seeking a director of food and beverage, a director of member services and a chief engineer, among other roles, as it builds out operations ahead of the planned opening. Those postings are appearing across recruitment platforms and point to a tight pre-opening timeline as construction shifts toward interior fit-outs, including listings on JobToday.
If Krehbiel sticks to the schedule, The Lake is poised to be one of the more closely watched private-club debuts in downtown Chicago this year. For now, city permits and pre-opening job listings remain the main clues as planners and the developer work toward a final September date.
