Food incubator will support entrepreneurs on Chicago’s West Side
By David Barista, Editorial Director
With 56 private kitchens, a large shared kitchen, and co-working and multi-function space, The Hatchery will be well equipped to serve entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry seeking commercial kitchen workspace and business coaching. Designed by Wight & Company, the 67,000-sf food incubator development in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood will also serve as the new headquarters for the nonprofit Accion Chicago, co-creator of The Hatchery. The organization will offer direct access to small business loans and support programs to tenants of the building and members of the community.
Courtesy Wight & Company.
Nonprofit IFF Chicago is developing the $34 million project, with funding assistance from such donors as Kellogg and Conagra and a land donation from the city. The project involves repurposing a 10,000-sf 1920s structure to supplement the new space.
Wight & Company served as design architect, AOR, structural engineer, and construction manager.
Other team members: dbHMS (MEP), Site Design Group (landscape architecture), Terra Engineering (CE), and Next Step Design (food services specialists).