Auburn Gresham — After construction delays, Auburn Gresham will open a wellness center in the fall with restaurants, a bank, a pharmacy and more.
The Healthy Lifestyle Hub (839 W. 79th St.) will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 29, according to Carlos Nelson, Director of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation.
The hub was previously slated to open on July 29, but “things have slowed down due to supply chain delays in preparation for the ribbon cutting,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the Auburn Gresham organization will hold a “massive grand opening” for neighborhood residents on Nov. 11. Hollywood-style spotlights illuminate neighborhoods upon arrival, meals are prepared, and residents tour the wellness hub.
“We want everyone to come here and make it their home,” Nelson said. “It will be a party of all parties.”
credit: sponsoredThe Healthy Lifestyle Hub received a $10 million Chicago Award in 2020 from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and $4 million from the city’s Invest South/West program.
The four-story hub includes Mickey’s Retro Grill, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois, a high-tech kitchen sponsored by the Chicago Bears, and a cafe. Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation offices will be on his fourth floor.
Bank of America and UI Healthy Clinic and Urgent Care Center plan to bring essential services back to the community after several recent business exits over the last few years.
In the days leading up to the grand opening, “excitement was building,” says Nelson. Nelson said people are boarding him up to the 18-by-18-foot boarded-up window and wondering what’s next for the long-abandoned building.
Healthy Hub will be one of many investments that shed light on where Auburn Gresham is headed, Nelson said.
“There’s a lot of investment going into the community, and we want homeowners to reap the benefits through things like appraisals of their homes,” Nelson said. “We hope this development will draw attention to young families and prospective homeowners who see it as a promising opportunity in the Southside neighborhood.”
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