A renown City-owned restaurant space on the Near North Side will be sold for $1.375 million under a plan approved today by City Council.

The 8,000-square-foot space in the lower level of 1300 N. Astor St. was once occupied by Maxim’s, Chicago’s version of the acclaimed Parisian restaurant.  The space played host to famous actors, dancers and musicians during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was operated as a restaurant by the wife of architect Bertrand Goldberg, who designed the 28-story residential building. The restaurant closed in 1982.

The space was gifted to the City by the Goldberg estate in 2000.  It was subsequently used by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for private meetings and events as the Nancy Goldberg International Center. Its stylish interior includes Art Nouveau scroll work, plush red banquettes, stained glass and rich mahogany décor.  

All use and disposition restrictions on the City’s use of the space expired after 10 years, according to the gift agreement. It had recently been appraised at $1.36 million.

The developers, Maxim’s Chicago Restaurant Partners LLC, will open another fine dining restaurant in its place. 

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