Explore The Kennison and See How Boka and Partners Have Transformed Perennial

The operators of The Kennison have transformed the former Perennial Virant space in Lincoln Park, breathing new life into the room that sits on the ground floor of The Hotel Lincoln. Perennial, and later Perennial Virant, lasted eight years at 1800 N. Lincoln Ave. and the new restaurant opens on Thursday. Take the photo tour and see what the upstart 90/94 Restaurant Group, in conjunction with Boka Restaurant Group, have done with the place.

Interior design firm BlocHaus, fresh off opening Apogee — the redesigned rooftop space at the Dana Hotel & Spa in River North — worked on the project. Perennial opened in 2008 before chef Paul Virant joined and Boka remodeled the space in 2011. The team behind The Kennison, Ryan See and Dan Warren, wanted to take the restaurant into a new direction to expand its customer base. It’s not just for fine dining anymore. Where Perennial was modern and sleek, The Kennison feels like its been around for a while thanks to large leather banquettes and new tiles. Other changes including moving the main entrance closer to Clark Street to improve the room’s flow and replacing Perennial’s shelf of herbs and pickled ingredients with a hotel key display.

Check out the transformation in the photos below. The Kennison opens on Thursday.

Galdones Photography

Marc Much/Eater Chicago

Marc Much/Eater Chicago