Updated food courts are a dominant trend in retail commercial real estate, both nationally and locally, as the sector's struggles to reposition aging assets continue. That trend has now arrived at one of the Mag Mile's iconic shopping destinations, which has tapped one of Chicago's most visible restaurateurs to bring the sizzle to its food and beverage offerings.

The 900 North Michigan Shops asked Brendan Sodikoff to curate a multilevel food and beverage experience as the final step of a four-phase renovation of the 465K SF property. Sodikoff is one of Chicago's busiest restaurateurs — his portfolio of restaurants includes hip establishments such as Maude's Liquor Bar, Au Cheval, Gilt Bar, Doughnut Vault, Green Street Smoked Meats and the California Clipper. Stacy Kolios, 900 North Michigan Shops senior director of marketing, said Sodikoff is the best choice to revamp the property's dining options for the modern shopper.

An affiliate of JMB Realty owns the 900 North Michigan Shops. The first two phases of renovations are complete and entail upgrades to the parking structure, allowing stores to display merchandise in showroom windows and improvements to the building's street-level access. Starting next year, ownership will overhaul the building's interiors for use by tourists, shoppers, office workers and residents. Sodikoff will be responsible for programming 21K SF across multiple levels.