Food incubator will support entrepreneurs on Chicago’s West Side

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.

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).