Gold Coast residents learned Monday about recent plans to transform The Hunt Club, at 1100 N. State St., into an upscale, three-in-one restaurant, bar and club.
Owner of The Hunt Club Jim Lasky and developer David Pisor presented their plans to knock down the building and start the new one from the ground up. Though the new building will be an additional two floors higher, the square footage will not change. The demolition would begin in February and last at least 10 months, said Lasky.
Currently, Hunt Club is a two level casual restaurant/sports bar that mainly serves hamburgers, salads and appetizers. The new restaurant—expected title “Maple and Ash”—will have traditional steakhouse elements, Lasky said.
The plans showed the new building would include an additional floor and a basement. The first floor will be the bar and casual dining while the second floor will be more of a traditional dining room with an open kitchen. The third will have a lounge/club under a different name. The main kitchen will be in the basement.
One concern expressed by some residents was the number of people and noise a new club could bring to the area. Some nearby residents said they have issues with noise and “drunk people” after hours.
“It never stops,” said Rene Burton, an 18-year resident at Newberry Plaza condos, 1030 N. State St., which is in front of The Hunt Club.
The Hunt Club sits in front of Mariano Park, where State Street, Rush Street and Bellevue Place all intersect to form a triangle. Several higher end restaurant and bars surround Mariano Park such as Carmine’s, Tavern on Rush and Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse.
Vern Broders, president of The Gold CoastNeighbors Association, said he’s worried there will be even more noise complaints.
But Pisor, who will be managing the property with Lasky, reassured residents that the style of the building won’t attract the same crowd the venue attracts today.
“The crowd will naturally change; it’s going to be more attuned to what’s in the neighborhood,” Lasky said.
Lasky compared the quality of food Maple and Ash will serve to be “as good” as Gibson’s and added “a No. 1 chef is leaving to join this place,” although he wouldn’t give any names.
“We want to be at that level or above in terms of service, quality and style,” Lasky said. “I want to be better than everyone in the neighborhood. I don’t just want to survive, I want to be the best.”
Because the size of the new restaurant will only change in height and not in square feet, the project does not require any changes in zoning, said Lasky during the meeting. Also, the current operation has a liquor license, so it will be passed on to the new bar and club.
“What they’re doing didn’t require any public meetings, but we’re pleased that they’re making themselves available to [the community] like this,” Broders said.
There was no reason not to work with the residents, Lasky said. “I’d rather have them on board and feel part of the process.”
Though some residents were initially concerned about the expansion, some came to an understanding with the developers by the end of the one-hour meeting.
“We have to compromise,” said Millie Bursach, resident at Newberry Plaza. “We can’t fault them for wanting to have a business.”
The new restaurant will bring a better look and feel to the neighborhood as well as add more value to the current property, Lasky said.
“We’re very interested in continuous investments in our neighborhood,” Broders said.
But at least one resident remained convinced.
Burton said she needs to make sure there won’t be “racket and noise” like she hears now to support the redevelopment.
“You have to understand that when you live in an area with lots of buildings and restaurants, you’re going to get noise,” said Sean McCarthy, a 15-year Gold Coast resident.
McCarthy added that he is “totally in favor” of the new restaurant.
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