Principle Construction Corp. has converted a former Chevrolet auto dealership building at 13980 Automall Drive in Huntley, Illinois, into a state-of-the-art brewing facility and full-service restaurant for Villa Park-based MORE Brewing. The 25,302-square-foot building includes 11,302 square feet of beer production space and a 14,000-square-foot restaurant with two private dining rooms that will double as barrel aging rooms.
“To convert an auto dealership into a brewery/restaurant takes tremendous vision. Principle worked very hard to come up with solutions to each part of the building for the new use,” said Principle Construction principal, James A. Brucato. “I am very proud of our project team. Their hard work made this challenging modification happen.”
Guests dining at the restaurant will be able to view the brewery through the 12-foot tall glass walls that look into the brewing area, barrel storage room and sour brewing room. Exposed ductwork and barn wood wall coverings give the restaurant a rustic and industrial look. The exterior received a fresh coat of paint and surface-applied decorative wood panels. All new LED lighting highlights the landscaping on the building’s exterior, including its four new grain silos that are visible from Highway 47 and the I-90 exit ramp. The building has four drive-in doors for the distribution of MORE Brewery products and 114 auto parking spaces for customers and employees.
Brucato worked as the principal on the project, while Principle’s Matt Cotherman was the senior project manager. Principle’s Matt Frane served as the superintendent. Harris Architects provided architectural services, while JLL’s Dominic Carbonari acted as the broker for MORE Brewing.
