The Monroe — New Full-Service Restaurant Build, Chicago, IL
A first-time restaurateur had secured a raw commercial shell in Chicago's River North neighborhood and needed to transform it into a full-service dining concept — complete with a full commercial kitchen, rooftop bar, and capacity for 180 covers. The project required extensive MEP engineering, structural modifications, and navigation of Chicago's building department process, which is known for its complexity.
Our Role
Rhea Strategies provided end-to-end engineering and compliance consulting for the project, including structural analysis for the rooftop addition, full mechanical and electrical design for the commercial kitchen and bar systems, and coordination with the Chicago Department of Buildings through multiple plan check cycles.
Our project management team maintained the construction schedule, managed subcontractor coordination, and served as the primary point of contact with city inspectors throughout the build.
The Outcome
The Monroe received its certificate of occupancy ahead of its target opening date and has operated without a compliance issue since launch. The rooftop bar — the most technically complex element of the project — passed structural and fire safety inspection on the first review
Results at a Glance:
✓ Certificate of occupancy delivered ahead of schedule
✓ Rooftop structural addition — first-review approval
✓ Full MEP design for commercial kitchen and bar systems
✓ 180-cover full-service restaurant — opened on time and on budget