Maxwell House's Drops of Good Project is currently holding a competition for a $50,000 renovation grant - and Chicago's own Austin Town Hall Park is not doing well. A community center on the West Side, Austin focuses on arts education and programming for residents, providing training in dance, music and theater as well as child daycare and senior care services. Want to help? All you have to do is click. more ›

Ian Schrager, the co-founder of Studio 54 in New York, purchased the Ambassador East hotel (1301 N. State Parkway) and its renowned Pump Room restaurant this week in an approximately $25 million deal. Although the 285-room hotel hasn't been doing too well in recent years, Schrager has announced plans to renovate the hotel and restore the Pump Room to its old self. Currently, the Pump Room runs on a part-time basis and doesn't have a dinner menu or live entertainment. more ›

BIN 36 just followed up a year-long 10-year celebration by unveiling a $100,000 renovation of their interior, a new American bistro menu and an expanded cheese menu, including "a fresh array of eight composed flights to encourage exploration." The revamped menu by chef John Caputo incorporates artisan cheeses throughout, including Gougeres with Truffle Honey and a Grilled Cheese Trio and Brown Sugar-Cured, Slow-Roasted Pork Loin Chop with gorgonzola polenta. All menu items may be paired with wine recommendations from BIN 36's Brian Duncan. more ›

For commuters utilizing the Howard Street CTA station - which handles the Red, Purple, and Yellow lines - life just got a little bit easier. On Friday, the CTA announced that station renovations were finally complete with the opening of an auxiliary entrance, located at 1649 West Howard. According to a CTA press release: more ›

Since 1991, the Oceanarium at the Shedd aquarium has been entertaining us with it's unique blend of an indoor-outdoor environment, cute sea mammals and a gorgeous view of the lake. Since September, visitors to the Shedd have found the Oceanarium closed and undergoing a massive renovation. The Oceanarium is schedule to re-open in May, and we got a sneak peak inside. Some of these photos are current construction photos, while others are renderings of what the interior will look like when work is finished. Some of new features will include: more ›

Dear Chicagoist, more ›

A large sculpture that was removed from its 150 N. Michigan location three years ago was quietly put back up last month, but the artist is pissed. more ›