Westridge Court to see restaurant and entertainment overhaul
Big changes are coming to one of Brixmor Property Group’s Chicagoland shopping centers.
The company has announced a $53 million redevelopment and reconfiguration of Westridge Court, located in Naperville, Ill., to create a new restaurant and entertainment district, branded Block 59. The 91,000 sq.-ft. project aims to improve Westridge Court’s dining options through the construction of multiple outparcels for national restaurant brands such as The Cheesecake Factory, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, Shake Shack, Stan’s Donuts, First Watch, Fresh Fin, Crisp & Green, and Velvet Taco.
The new dining roster will join the currently open Lazy Dog Restaurant and furniture retailer Water E. Smithe. Plans for the redevelopment include an open-air central plaza which will serve as a public gathering place as well as host community events year-round surrounded by new outdoor restaurant patios. The project includes a new valet area, wayfinding signage, landscaping, energy-efficient lighting and improved pedestrian and vehicular circulation.
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Image courtesy of Brixmor Property Group. -
Image courtesy of Brixmor Property Group.
Block 59 complements the adjacent Westridge Court, which is anchored by The Fresh Market, Ulta Beauty, Hollywood Palms Cinema and the newly announced Wayfair Outlet. Together, the project is approximately 555,000 sq. ft.
“Our research indicated there was a gap in dining options on the west side of Naperville, with folks having to drive up to 20 miles for some of their favorite restaurants,” said Rich Dippolito, vice president of redevelopment. “This was matched by strong demand for restaurant space by best-in-class brands like The Cheesecake Factory, leading us to reimagine the center in a new way.“
Construction began with the demolition of an underutilized two-story building in July with new restaurants starting to open in spring 2025. Businesses, including Lazy Dog Restaurant and Walter E. Smithe, will remain open for business during the redevelopment.
Located across from the Fox Valley Mall, Block 59/Westridge Court is surrounded by a dense population of 253,000 people with an average household income of $135,000+ within a 5-mile radius.
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“Our goal is to create a place that reflects the Naperville community,” said Dippolito. “The plaza offers a space where tenants and community groups can host fitness classes or performances.”
