Akira's Hyde Park Flagship Site Begins Demolition, Here's How Pretty It'll Be When Its Rebuilt

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

This new acquisition of real-estate by University of Chicago we think may represent the future of what retail buildings will look like in the Hyde Park area. Fresh, modern and airy. Akira has taken up a significant portion of the first floor of the 24,963 square foot building and according to 53rd Street Blog, signs went up this week on the exterior of the building touting the Akira name.

Starting immediately scaffolding will be erected around the structure and demolition will commence shortly thereafter. Construction will begin mid-June for a fall opening. The "flagship status" means this will be the first Akira store where clothing and footwear will be combined onto one sales floor and the selection of footwear will be far more significant.
· Akira Opening Flagship in Hyde Park With a Lot More Shoes [Racked]
· Renovation Work Begins for Akira Site [53rd Street Blog]
· Akira [Official Site]
· All Akira Coverage [Racked Chicago]

Foursquare

AKIRA Bucktown Footwear

1849 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622 Visit Website

Akira Hyde Park

1539 E 53rd, Chicago Il