7 food halls to watch for in 2017

The food hall trend shows no signs of slowing down. By 2020, the U.S. will be home to 200 food halls, about double the number currently in the United States, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s 2016 Food Halls of America report. The commercial real estate firm says increasing restaurant rents and a rise in foodie culture, particularly among millennials, have created ideal conditions for food halls to flourish, as restaurant operators seek small footprints and heavy foot traffic to get the biggest bang for their buck. Here’s a look at some food halls expected to launch in 2017, from San Francisco to Raleigh, N.C. 

Number of vendors: 1 proprietor, multiple concepts
Slated launch: Early 2017

Drawing comparisons to Eataly, China Live in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood will focus on one cuisine: Chinese. The 30,000-square-foot-space will include several new concepts, including a casual Chinese restaurant called Market Restaurant & Bar, an Asian tea concept called Oolong Cafe and a fine-dining concept called Eight Tables that will serve a seasonal eight-course tasting menu, according to Eater San Francisco. The project also includes a craft cocktail bar, a private dining and lounge space called Gold Mountain Lounge and a curated retail area featuring imported Chinese ingredients. San Francisco restaurateurs George Chen and wife Cindy Wong-Chen are behind the project.
 

Number of vendors: 55
Slated launch: Spring

Positioning itself as one of New York City’s largest food halls, DeKalb Market Hall will house 55 vendors in a 26,000-square-foot space in City Point, a mixed-use project that will include residences and retailers. Nearly 20 vendors have been announced so far, and the food hall is seeking “small food-business owners with a long history in Brooklyn” but no other food hall presence, according to its website. Participating vendors include Ample Hills Creamery, the historic 128-year-old Katz’s Delicatessen (launching its second-ever outpost) and newcomer Fulton Landing Seafood, which plans to offer nontraditional seafood dishes such as fried lobster and a grilled octopus roll. Brooklyn native Anna Castellani, owner of Foragers (a market, restaurant and wine shop with locations in New York City), is curating the market.
 

Number of vendors: 65
Slated launch: Late spring

Multiconcept operator Hibernian Hospitality Group is behind Morgan Street Food Hall & Market, a 22,000-square-foot project that will house up to 65 vendors when it launches in downtown Raleigh, N.C., this spring. Vendors have a variety of operating formats to choose from—including stalls, small kiosks and shipping containers—that range between 30 and 550 square feet. The project is still taking vendor applications and is seeking local chefs and restaurateurs, as well as those that will feature foods unique to the greater Raleigh market.

Number of vendors: 20+
Slated launch: Summer

Central Fare will house over 20 purveyors, ranging from grocers and grab-and-go kiosks to full-service restaurants. The project will be anchored by Monger, a 10,000-square-foot concept being developed by brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio of “Top Chef” fame. Central Fare will span 50,000 square feet over two floors in MiamiCentral, a mixed-use urban development that will include offices, retailers, over 800 residences and direct access to local and multicity transit via the new MiamiCentral train station once the development is completed this year.

Number of vendors: 20+
Slated launch: Late summer

This food and entertainment hall near Dallas comes from The Food Hall Co., a new company launched by Front Burner Restaurant leaders Randy DeWitt and Jack Gibbons (the creators of Velvet Taco). The 55,000-square-foot project will span three stories, with more than 20 food stalls on the first floor, a fast-casual restaurant and terrace on the second floor and a craft brewery and taproom on the third floor. The second-floor terrace will overlook a live music stage and beer garden. As of November, most of the space has been leased, although some food stalls are still available, according to Crave DFW. Vendors will include a craft cocktail bar, a wine and charcuterie bar and a fast-casual burger concept called Knife Burger from chef John Tesar.

Number of vendors: 31
Slated launch: Late 2017

This 50,000-square-foot, two-story project in LA’s Beverly Grove area will sport 31 food stalls—including several on a rooftop—ranging between 300 and 500 square feet, along with a 1,500-square-foot communal area for customers. Hoping to alleviate long lines typically seen at food halls, Edin Park plans to offer tableside ordering, likely via tablets, according to Eater Los Angeles. Diners can also use the tablets to order adult beverages to their table, which Eater says will be a “major component” of the food hall. Local chef Octavio Becerra is curating the project, according to Eater Los Angeles.
 

Number of vendors: 5
Slated launch: 2017

Detroit’s first food hall will be constructed entirely from refashioned shipping containers. Detroit Shipping Co. aims to be a modern food and entertainment destination with five food stalls, two full-service bars, outdoor space, multiple TVs broadcasting sporting events, semi-permanent art installations and space for live music. Food vendors include hot dog concept Detroit Dog Co. and new chicken concept Coop. Helmed by Jonathan Hartzell (owner of contracting firm Facilities Management Group), James Therkalsen (a writer and creative director) and Lead Architect Dominic Walbridge, Detroit Shipping Co. received its building permits in November and is set to launch sometime in 2017.

Here are a few other food halls that could launch this year:

American Market by Todd English—Chef English was recruited by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to create a food hall in a Times Square building owned by Kushner's company. Slated to launch this summer, American Market will mark English’s second New York City food hall; he also operates The Todd English Food Hall at The Plaza.

St. Roch Nashville—the developers of St. Roch Market in New Orleans plan to launch a similar food hall in Nashville, with vendors such as a cocktail bar and oyster bar, according to The Tennessean. The developers also told The Tennessean they aim to expand St. Roch to several other cities.

Wells St. Market—this recently announced project is set to open this summer not far from Revival, another downtown Chicago food hall. The food hall will include at least eight vendors, including a “major New York-based food name” and a “true Chicago upstart,” according to the developers.