International fast-fashion chain Primark announced that it will open its first Midwest store, in Chicago.
Dublin, Ireland-based Primark has signed a lease with landlord The Georgetown Co. for 35 N. State St., in Chicago — the largest lease on State Street since 2014.
Primark will take over the entire 45,000-square-foot building and operate from 36,200 square feet of retail space over three levels. Before any opening date is announced, the iconic property will undergo a renovation tailored to Primark’s needs, including a modernization of the exterior and a remodeling of the interior.
The 35 N. State St. building, at the intersection of State and Washington streets, is in the heart of the Loop. The immediate neighborhood, home to a mix of restaurants, entertainment options, cultural institutions and world-famous landmarks, has long been one of the top U.S. shopping destinations.
In April Primark opened its largest global store, in Birmingham, England
“Primark has been searching for a Midwest location as part of the company’s continued expansion into the United States,” said Thomas Meager, Primark's property director, in press release. “We are fortunate to have found and secured such an impressive location in the heart of the vibrant Chicago market.”
Georgetown Co. is no less upbeat. “We recognized an amazing opportunity with the State Street corridor as one of the most sought-after retail destinations in the country,” said Adam Flatto, Georgetown's president and CEO. “As one of the fastest-growing retailers in the United States, Primark is a perfect fit for the building and will be a welcome addition to a popular list of neighboring businesses in the Loop.”
Primark offers a range of trendy fashions for adults and children, as well as accessories, beauty products, home wares and more, all at affordable prices. The first U.S. Primark store opened in 2015, and the company now operates nine across the Northeast. Primark says it anticipates opening stores at American Dream Meadowlands, in Rutherford, N.J., and at Sawgrass Mills, in Sunrise, Fla., over the next twelve months.
By Brannon Boswell
Executive Editor, Commerce + Communities Today
