Virtual Golf, American Fare Landing Nearby

Construction is under way this week inside the newest component of Armitage Avenue's evolution—a half restaurant, half virtual golf center.

A first of its kind, Fairways is coming to nearby Lincoln Park at 1141 W. Armitage Ave., which formerly housed P.J. Clarke's. Business partners Mark Clement and Michael McCutcheon are at the helm of the project.

They're working with designers who have been behind BOKA Restaurant Group works such as Balena and Elaine's Coffee Call. 

"The food is going to be contemporary, American fare, and we'll also have some organic options on the menu," Clement said Tuesday, adding that Fairways will be serving up meals that are not typical to the bar scene. " … It's a fairly new concept, what we're doing. There are a few of these indoor golf places around but most are focused on the sport. This will be more than that."

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The restaurant's second story will be reservation based and feature high-end virtual golf simulators. Players will swing at a real ball which will then hit a large 11-foot by 16-foot projection screen and become digitized, soaring off into the distance. 

That area will have a "private feel" so as not to interrupt diners below while they enjoying their meals, Clement said. The duo is expanding the existing space to accommodate their plans. The former P.J. Clarke's was comprised of 2,500 square feet on the first floor and 5,000 square feet on the second floor.

"We actually blew out the wall to take out the adjacent 2,500 square feet," Clement said, noting that Fairways will encompass a total of 10,000 square feet.

The city business permit associated with the renovations details an estimated cost of $50,000. 

Fairways joins a growing list of new additions—or pending additions—to the avenue including the female-focused Nike Training Club, cafe Blue Door Farm Stand, pharmacy Walgreens, and popular doughnut shop, Glazed & Infused.

"The revival of Armitage Avenue is one of my key priorities," 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith said in a recent newsletter entitled "Armitage is Back!" "These new stores, plus new restaurants coming this summer and fall prove once again that Lincoln Park is the premier community in which to live, work and shop."

The food-focused Fairways venture is on track to open this coming July.

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