ABOUT THE CHICAGO ROASTERY

The highly anticipated Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago is scheduled to open Nov. 15 on the Magnificent Mile, marking the last and largest of the chain’s grand coffee palaces. The Chicago Roastery, first announced more than two years ago, will open at 9 a.m. that day in a glassy 43,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Crate & Barrel, at the corner of North Michigan Avenue and Erie Street.

The four-story emporium will employ 200 people and include on-site roasting of its rare Reserve beans, interactive tours, exclusive drinks "inspired by the culture and traditions of Chicago” and a full kitchen for making desserts, breads, pizzas and salads from Italian bakery Princi, Chief Operating Officer Roz Brewer said. Chicago is the sixth city where Starbucks has opened what it calls “theatrical, experiential shrines to coffee passion,” following New York; Tokyo; Shanghai; Milan, Italy; and its hometown of Seattle, which opened the first Reserve Roastery in late 2014.

Starbucks chose local Chicago artists, Molly Zakrajsek and Eulojio Ortega to create multiple murals throughout the space. “The aesthetics are stunning, every inch of the space is thoughtful and well-designed. I’m so proud my artwork is part of such a glorious environment,” public artist, Molly Z. said.

The Roastery will be open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. to midnight Fridays & Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

RADIANT REVERENCE MURAL

“A visually rich environment grabs our attention and connects us to other people. A shared artistic experience can facilitate these connections and create memorable, meaningful interactions. Used throughout history, patterns are the most social and global of all art forms. I intentionally combine symbolic, abstract, organic, and geometric patterns to create an inclusive, multicultural, harmonious effect. Radiant Reverence is the discovery of unity through visual complexity.

In this special work of art for the Chicago Roastery, Radiant means to send out light, shine or glow brightly and connects to the unique architectural details of this exquisitely designed building. I chose symbols of energy and celebration and colors with luminous, reflective, sparkling surfaces to connect to the idea of an outward reaching optimism emulating from a central source. Reverence is a deep respect for someone or something and captures the love and affection for the city of Chicago, it’s people, structures, weather and nature, all thriving within a diverse, complex environment. There is also a deep admiration for the elegant processes and hardworking people who are involved in the global and local aspects of coffee cultivation and its enjoyment.

I have always been interested in heightened visual experiences where vibrant colors interact with meticulously embellished worlds. I am inspired by the universal imagery that connects people and places to the past and present.” – Molly Z. (Mural, 4th Floor at Arriviamo)