Initial details have been revealed for the new Candy Hall of Fame Experience at 830 North Michigan Avenue in the Magnificent Mile area. Located on the corner of East Pearson Street, across from Water Tower Place, the experience marks the largest lease on the iconic strip since 2015. This comes at a time when the Mile is undergoing a slight revival.
Site location map of Candy Hall of Fame Experience via Google Maps
Led by the National Confectionary Sales Association, the Candy Hall of Fame has been around since 1971, honoring some of the biggest names in the industry. The organization has been searching for a permanent home for some time, considering cities like New York and Orlando, before ultimately selecting Chicago due to its deep roots in the confectionery industry and its status as a base for many major candy companies.
Historical images of Chicago candy making via Chicago Tribune
The experience center will occupy the former home of Uniqlo on the northern half of Michigan Avenue, sitting above the upcoming Chase Bank flagship. The three-story space spans 60,000 square feet and will include a handful of outdoor terraces on the top floor. Inside, there will be multiple ticketed exhibitions and activities centered around confectionery.
Rendering of new Chase location via Chase
The exterior will receive new branding and façade updates, along with a colorful lighting package. While the project cost remains unknown, the new website indicates a Summer 2027 opening. The building recently saw the opening of Hotel Chocolat on its lower floors, while a new, large Lululemon outpost has opened at 940 North Michigan Avenue.
More upcoming changes to the Mile can be found in our previous coverage here.
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Tasty!
Shelf life of actual candy will be longer than this establishment…
Don’t sugarcoat it. Tell us what you really think…
I believe the Lululemon store at 940 N Michigan is temporary while their Rush Street is being renovated.
I was at their 900 Michigan mall store the other day, and I can confirm it’s temporary until it’s renovated
Am I correct to assume that the south west corner with all the red trimming is not part of Chase?
You are correct. That space is not part of JPM/Chase and is, I believe, one of two remaining spaces available for lease.
The Magnificent Mile is starting to feel alot like Times Square. We have a 5 story Magic Parlour coming and now this?
I won’t be satisfied until there’s a wax museum of IL politicians who ended up in jail and a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! exhibit.
In actually quite hopeful about that magic parlor. Not a mass market fun house, but aiming for a more exclusive experience. 21 and over only, strict dress code, etc. They say no phones allowed. I reserved a spot so let’s see. An escape from the everything online, everyone casual, virtualzed AI existence we are falling into. I hope it works out.
As far as Candy Hall of fame, it’s run by a corporate group who honors CEOs, so I can’t imagine what this might be.
The city council should designate a block or two north and south of Chicago and Michigan as relaxed signage zones and just allow a few Jumbotrons for once.
I guess we’d call it Tribune Square.
Seriously though, they must have gotten a pretty sweet deal on that lease
UGH… Tribune Square is actually a really good name. Better than the Watertower Square they would go with.
Gotta stick with the Times Square pattern.
I think it’s gonna continue to be more of a Times Square model moving into the future (without all the theatres). Department stores are dead, storefront retail is tricky, and attractions vs shopping is proving to be a viable model on Michigan Ave.
I like the colors.
The marquee looks like a cmx movie theater slop branding. Cheap and corporate soulless trash. Bah! It should be more fun!! We need fun! Bring back the Rain Forest Cafe and Chuck E Cheese a la 90s!
I’m normally against this sort of thing but I would be happy to see a few big, colorful, fiberglass candy pieces bolted to the exterior à la Rainforest Cafe.
The owners of the Rainforest Cafe property, in River North, really need to strip the exterior of all that junk.
Sweet Dreams are not made of this….
Unfortunately as we continue to deal with post covid reality, the retail shopping experience has been completely altered and Michigan Ave has paid a high price. Headcount downtown has returned and the visitors need some attractions to fill their time visiting, so these attractions provide the new activity. Happy to say new retail is also arriving but no where near the large scale we once enjoyed.
I’m really curious about the impact this huge Candy Hall will have on the foot traffic near Water Tower Place, especially with the “Times Square” vibe everyone is mentioning. Does anyone know if they will have a dedicated section for sugar-free or health-conscious confectionery? I was trying to find some info on local Chicago wellness guides or vendor requirements and stumbled upon guiadebetnacionalbrasil.com but it seems to be blocked or broken. Is that a reliable source for local event health standards, or should I just stick to the official YIMBY updates for opening details?