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IRVING PARK — Construction is underway on a Pickleball Clubhouse slated to open this winter in Irving Park. Chris Sears, founder and CEO of Pickleball Clubhouse, plans to open the indoor playing facility at 4242 N. Elston Ave., a warehouse that was formerly home to Thillens, an armored car service provider. Spanning nearly 19,000 square feet across two levels, the clubhouse will feature seven premium courts designed specifically for pickleball when it opens early next year. “Our goal was to create a top-tier facility that caters to the dedicated player,” Sears said. “We want a place where players can enhance their skills, connect with others who share their passion for the game and compete year-round.” The facility will offer scheduled court times, training and program options and have properly spaced courts with flooring, lighting and noise reduction. It’s aimed at offering a premier pickleball experience for enthusiasts, Sears said. Rendering of what the interior of the new Pickleball Clubhouse, 4242 N. Elston Ave., could look like. Credit: Provided. At opening, the club will feature a pro shop and lounge area. A restaurant with a viewing lounge, locker rooms, fitness rooms and other amenities will be added later. Membership costs and other fees will be announced closer to the grand opening. “Pickleball is far more than just a sport. It’s good for the body and soul, and it’s a community,” Sears said. “We’re excited to provide a welcoming environment where players can hone their skills and be part of this awesome community. The clubhouse is a testament to our commitment to grow the sport in Chicago.” Sears bought the warehouse property from the Thillens family, who left behind memorabilia from the former Thillens Field at 6404 N. Kedzie Ave. The new clubhouse will display the memorabilia once it’s open, Sears said. Before the Park District took over the ball field, the Thillens family underwrote and operated it for the better part of a century, Sears said. Construction is underway, and the warehouse’s facade will be retained as a nod to the Thillens family legacy. “I walked into the building, saw the walls lined with Chicago sports memorabilia from Thillens Field — where my own son played baseball — and knew this was the future home of the clubhouse,” Sears said.
Pickleball Clubhouse to start construction in Irving Park. Chicago developer Christopher Sears said he expects to start construction next month on the first-ever Pickleball Clubhouse, with the goal of opening by year-end in Irving Park. The two-story, 19,000-square-foot facility at 4242 N. Elston St. will include 15,000 square feet on the first floor and a pro shop and lounge area. The project includes plans to later add a restaurant too. A grand opening is planned for early 2025. Christopher Sears is the developer for a planned pickleball facility in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood on the North Side. Christopher Sears “It’s too soon to tell if and when we would open the next location, but responses have already been amazing and people have already reached out to see if we could come to them next,” said Sears. Unlike the suburbs, the city of Chicago, especially the South and West Sides, is underserved when it comes to pickleball facilities, he said. “We looked hard for a location accessible to both the city and suburban players,” said Sears. “The building itself and the [Irving Park] neighborhood were a perfect fit on a through street with ample parking and access to public transportation and the highway.” The general contractor for the project is APC Construction, and the architect firm is Facet Architecture. Sign up for the Business Journal’s free daily newsletter to receive the latest business news impacting Chicago.
Pickleball Clubhouse planned for Irving Park chicagobusiness.com · by Alice Mei · August 2, 2204 A new pickleball center is slated to open in Irving Park in a building formerly owned by the Thillens family to house armored cars. Pickleball Clubhouse, planned for 4242 N. Elston Ave., will offer seven courts across 19,000 square feet and be open year-round. Skill-based programming, professional instruction and drop-by playing will be available for players of all experience levels. Credit: Pickleball Clubhouse A rendering shows the inside of Pickleball Clubhouse slated to open in Irving Park early next year. Following the opening, the clubhouse plans to roll out more amenities, including a restaurant with a viewing lounge, social events, food and drinks. Chris Sears started playing the sport five years ago after experience playing squash and tennis and has since become an ambassador for USA Pickleball. Now, he is the founder, CEO and developer of Pickleball Clubhouse, drawing from his real estate career as a senior broker at @properties. He said pickleball has been “life-changing,” allowing him to build invaluable connections. “I can’t wait to offer that same joy and fun to others at the Pickleball Clubhouse,” he said. With millions of players worldwide and up for consideration as an Olympic sport, there’s little chance you haven’t heard of pickleball in passing. Decades ago, pickleball was more popular among older generations because the intensity of the sport was more manageable than other racket sports. Experience from other sports also makes the transition to pickleball easy, Sears said. The COVID-19 pandemic saw pickleball explode in popularity among younger generations as a socially distant way of staying active and has only grown since. Now, demand has surged with multiple pickleball facilities popping up in the Chicago area since the pandemic, including Big City Pickle and SPF Chicago. chicagobusiness.com · August 2, 2024
Pickleball Clubhouse Arriving Irving Park: A new era for pickleball is on the horizon as construction ramps up on a state-of-the-art Pickleball Clubhouse, scheduled to make its debut in Irving Park early next year. Nestled at 4242 N. Elston Ave., the facility is rising from the former Thillens armored car service warehouse, marking a significant investment in the sport’s future. A Premier Facility for Pickleball Enthusiasts Spanning nearly 19,000 square feet across two levels, the Pickleball Clubhouse will boast seven premium courts tailored specifically for pickleball. Chris Sears, the visionary behind the project and CEO of Pickleball Clubhouse, emphasizes that the goal is to create a top-tier environment for dedicated players. “Our goal was to create a top-tier facility that caters to the dedicated player,” Sears said. “We want a place where players can enhance their skills, connect with others who share their passion for the game and compete year-round.” Amenities and Features The clubhouse will offer a comprehensive range of amenities designed to deliver an exceptional pickleball experience. Scheduled court times, various training and program options, and specialized flooring, lighting, and noise reduction features will set the stage for a premier playing environment. Initially, the facility will include a pro shop and a lounge area, with plans to introduce a restaurant with a viewing lounge, locker rooms, and fitness rooms as future enhancements. A Nod to History Sears’ acquisition of the warehouse also means a tribute to its storied past. The facility will feature memorabilia from the old Thillens Field, reflecting the rich history of the location. “I walked into the building, saw the walls lined with Chicago sports memorabilia from Thillens Field — where my own son played baseball — and knew this was the future home of the clubhouse,” Sears said. This respect for heritage is further underscored by retaining the warehouse’s facade as a homage to the Thillens family legacy, who operated the field for nearly a century before its acquisition by the Park District. Looking Ahead With the grand opening still on the horizon, details on membership costs and other fees will be revealed closer to the launch date. “Pickleball is far more than just a sport. It’s good for the body and soul, and it’s a community,” Sears added. “We’re excited to provide a welcoming environment where players can hone their skills and be part of this awesome community. The clubhouse is a testament to our commitment to grow the sport in Chicago.” As construction progresses, the Pickleball Clubhouse stands poised to become a cornerstone of the pickleball community, setting new standards for the sport in Chicago and beyond. Pickleball Clubhouse Arriving Irving Park Image Source: blockclubchicago.org News in Brief: Pickleball Clubhouse Arriving Irving Park Construction is underway for a new Pickleball Clubhouse at 4242 N. Elston Ave., Irving Park, set to open early next year. Spanning nearly 19,000 square feet over two levels, the facility will feature seven premium courts specifically for pickleball. Chris Sears, CEO, aims to provide a top-tier environment for players to enhance skills and connect with others. The clubhouse will initially include a pro shop and lounge, with plans for a restaurant, locker rooms, and fitness rooms in the future. The site, previously a Thillens warehouse, will honor its history with memorabilia from the old Thillens Field.