Boka Restaurant Group Opens The Ives in River North's Storied Athletic Association Building
By Socialhood News · Near North ·
Near North neighbors, the summer of new openings in River North isn't done delivering surprises — and the latest one arrives in one of the neighborhood's most architecturally beloved spaces. Boka Restaurant Group, the Chicago hospitality powerhouse behind GT Fish & Oyster, Momotaro, and a growing roster of River North concepts, has quietly debuted The Ives inside the Athletic Association building, taking over the elegant space that longtime locals will remember as the Cherry Circle Room.
The Athletic Association building has long been one of River North's most distinctive addresses — a landmarked property whose interiors carry the kind of worn-in grandeur that newer construction simply can't replicate. The Cherry Circle Room, which occupied the same footprint, built a loyal following for its craft cocktails and classic atmosphere before closing. Boka's decision to move into that space with The Ives signals a serious commitment to the address, and to the neighborhood's continued role as the city's most competitive dining corridor.
The Ives debut adds a notable new chapter for Boka Restaurant Group in River North at a moment when the company's summer has been anything but quiet. The group had opened Gingie — a contemporary dining concept helmed by acclaimed Chef Partner Brian Lockwood — in River North earlier this season, only to shutter it shortly after launch following a kitchen fire. No reopening date for Gingie has been announced. With The Ives now open in the Athletic Association space, Boka continues to press forward with its River North presence even as that situation remains unresolved.
For residents, the timing of The Ives arrival is a welcome one. The broader neighborhood has been on a genuine run of high-profile hospitality openings throughout the summer of 2026 — from the riverfront debut of NAIA at 300 N. LaSalle, to the Carlyle Club's arrival at the landmark Reid, Murdoch & Co. Building at 316 N. Clark Street, to the unprecedented entertainment draw of F1 Arcade on the other side of the neighborhood. Each opening has reinforced Near North's standing as the city's most active destination for ambitious operators. The Ives joins that conversation from one of River North's most character-rich rooms.
Boka Restaurant Group has consistently demonstrated an ability to match concept to space — their portfolio spans everything from the seafood-forward GT Fish & Oyster to the Japanese izakaya energy of Momotaro — and the Athletic Association building gives The Ives a setting with real bones to build around. The space's history as the Cherry Circle Room means a segment of the neighborhood already has a strong emotional connection to the address, and Boka's track record suggests they'll honor that legacy while pushing the experience forward.
Details on The Ives' full menu, hours, and reservation availability are best confirmed directly through Boka Restaurant Group's official channels, as the concept is newly launched. Given Boka's reputation for polished, memorable hospitality and the magnetic pull of the Athletic Association's interior, this is one to put on your radar before the September calendar fills up.
Have you visited the Athletic Association building before — whether for the Cherry Circle Room or another occasion? Are you planning to check out The Ives now that Boka has opened there? Share your thoughts and first impressions with your Near North neighbors in the Socialhood comments below!
Sources:
1. https://jproctorgroup.com/blog/river-norths-summer-of-new-signs-on-old-doors