360 CHICAGO, the company that operates the observation deck toward the top of the former John Hancock Center, has purchased the building's 95th and 96th floors, including the former Signature Room space, according to a Friday announcement.
Nichole Benolken, managing director of 360 CHICAGO, in a news release detailing the purchase, said plans for the 30,000-square-foot property haven't been finalized - and the company is "exploring a number of options."
One possibility, however, appeared to be off the table: opening another restaurant.
The company remains in the "very early development stages" and expects to share additional information in the coming months, Benolken said.
The space is tentatively set to open to the public in 2026, even though what it will include hasn't been determined.
When construction does begin, 360 CHICAGO's 17,000-square-foot observation deck on the 94th floor, plus its TILT ride and CloudBar cocktail lounge will be "unaffected by any work being done on the floors above," the company said.
The Signature Room, the longtime fine dining restaurant on the tower's 95th floor, abruptly closed in September, with its operators citing "economic issues."
A popular spot for dinner and weekend brunch, the high-end establishment required guests to follow a dress code and catered to generations of Chicagoans and visitors since it opened in 1993.
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360 CHICAGO's complete statement can be found below:
'360 CHICAGO, the iconic observation deck located on the 94th floor of 875 N. Michigan Avenue (the former John Hancock Center), announced today that they have purchased the 95th and 96th floors of the building, which have remained vacant since the closure of The Signature Room in September 2023.
Plans for the 30,000 sq-ft. space have not been finalized.
Nichole Benolken, Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO, said: “We’re exploring a number of options for the space at this time. I can confirm that we’re not planning on reopening a restaurant in that space, but beyond that, our team is in the very early development stages, and we’ll have more information to share in the coming months. Our operations at 360 CHICAGO on the 94th floor will remain unaffected by any work being done on the floors above, and we expect the new space to be open to the public in 2026.” Benolken added, “360 CHICAGO has been an anchor on Michigan Avenue for more than a decade, and our purchase of these two floors represents our significant commitment to serve not only the people of Chicago but the millions of visitors who make the Magnificent Mile a must-visit destination every year.'"
