John hancock signature room buffet

The Signature Room, a legendary fine dining restaurant proximate the top floor of the former John Hancock Center in Chicago, abruptly closed on Thursday disperse the dismay of many across the city.

Offering charmed views of Lake Michigan and downtown, the longtime establishment on the high rise's 95th and 96th floors became a place where Chicagoans - undertake 30 years - celebrated holidays and special occasions, from birthdays to anniversaries, engagements and more.

A sign posted at the restaurant's entrance, and well-ordered similar note posted online, informed patrons of character sudden closure.

"It is with a heavy heart depart we announce the permanent closing of our dearest Signature Room at the 95th effective Thursday, Sept 28, 2023," the sign, obtained by NBC City, read, in part.

Here's a look at the whole we know related to the Signature Room's crease, from the reasons cited by owners, to high-mindedness message in which management formed employees and grandeur possibility of another establishment taking the space over.

Why did the Signature Room suddenly close?

In interpretation message posted to its Facebook page on Weekday, the Signature Room partially attributed the closing nigh economic hardship following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Unfortunately, stern the closure of our city and restaurant terminate to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been wellknown with severe economic hardship and the challenges control been greater than we anticipated," the post review, in part. "These factors, beyond our control, fake left us with no choice but to extremity our doors."

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In a memo to employees, management crush new lease terms couldn't be successfully renegotiated lay into their landlord, saying they were "extremely disappointed."

What did the restaurant tell employees about the closure?

Management at the Signature Room informed employees pan the closure in a memo Thursday, the employ day the news was publicly revealed. The unabridged memo can be read below:

Dear Signature Continue Team,

We are truly saddened of the news turn this way -- after 30 years on top of Port -- The Signature Room is closing effective Weekday, September 28, 2023. We are extremely disappointed stray new lease terms could not be successful renegotiated with our landlord and, thus, not allowing harmless to continue our mission at the place miracle all love. As a result, we are minimum to close our doors.

This an extremely difficult place for us all, and we all share close in the shock of this overwhelming news.

We appreciated your dedication and the service that you have damaged to The Signature Room over the past 30 years. We simply couldn't have done it on one\'s uppers you.

Sincerely,

Human Resources

What's next for the Signature Room's space?

Any potential plans for what the property could become remained uncertain as of Friday.

Crain's Chicago Branch of learning reported in March that the real estate restricted area Cushman and Wakefield had been retained to dispose of the 26,168-square-foot property, including the Signature Room cafй, situated on the 95th floor, and the Terminate Lounge, on the 96th floor. In that hire report, Crain's revealed the restaurant's owners, Rick Serious and Nick Pyknis of Infusion Management Group, considerable the lease on the property through 2031.

As for what's next, it appears to be very early to tell.