(WWJ) The city's restaurant in the sky is set to reopen with a new concept and new owners tonight.
The Highlands Steakhouse, created by Holly and Shawn McClain of Grosse Ile, is set to open to the public tonight on the 71st and 72nd stories of the Renaissance Center. Two smaller restaurants -- Hearth 71 and The High Bar -- will compliment the high-end steakhouse spot with a more casual dining and cocktail experience.
McClain, a James Beard award winning chef, is best known for Las Vegas restaurants and his previous work in Chicago.
“We are playing a part in the city’s history and being part of its storied past in a new iteration,” Shawn McClain told Freep.com.
The views during a recent private preview party were spectacular.
The new owners poured months of effort, money and time into renovating the site with a brand-new look and feel. They faced plenty of challenges along the way, including loading large kitchen equipment and two huge floors of furniture through small elevators all the way up to the 71 and 72nd floors. "Furniture, some piece-by-piece came up a modest size, behind-the-scenes, elevator, McClain told the Freep. "It was physically taken apart (brought up) and reassembled."
But unlike the original Summit restaurant, the Highlands will not revolve. Visitors can walk to get the full city view experience.
The previous occupant, Coach Insignia, closed in early 2017.