Culver's Brings Wisconsin Flair to South Loop as Michigan Avenue Location Secures Prime Corner Spot

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/South Loop ·

South Loop residents will soon be able to enjoy ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard without leaving the neighborhood as Wisconsin-based Culver's has leased a 5,200-square-foot space at 1212 S. Michigan Avenue. The restaurant will occupy the former Aurelio's Pizza location at the prominent Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road corner, bringing the popular Midwest chain to one of South Loop's busiest intersections.

The new Culver's will take over the former Aurelio's Pizza space in a boxlike structure adjacent to the Park Michigan luxury apartment high-rise, with expansive frontage on both Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road. The impressive space includes a patio and second-floor roof deck, with seating for 176 guests inside plus room for 29 people on the patio and 50 more on the deck. The chain is "making a significant investment into the space" to convert it from a pizza restaurant with a bar to a Culver's, which real estate experts see as a vote of confidence in the location.

While downtown has grappled with high storefront vacancy in recent years, this location benefits from proximity to Grant Park and numerous high-rise residential buildings, making it likely to capture foot traffic from both tourists and locals. The address sits directly across from Grant Park and steps from the Roosevelt 'L' station, which brings in convention crowds, students, and daily commuters. This latest development joins other exciting South Loop additions, including the recently upgraded AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 movie theater, which now features premium IMAX and Dolby screens, further enhancing entertainment options for neighborhood residents.

Sources:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/culvers-coming-chicago-south-loop/
2. https://hoodline.com/2025/12/butterburger-breakthrough-culver-s-grabs-prime-south-loop-corner-at-michigan-and-roosevelt/
3. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/restaurants/culvers-coming-chicagos-south-loop
4. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/20/amc-roosevelt-collection-movie-theater-in-south-loop-unveils-new-imax-and-dolby-screens/