The Salt Shed could soon see a sister venue across the street that would include an amphitheater, bar and outdoor plaza.
The expansion plans were outlined in a zoning application filed with the City Council on Oct. 14 by a limited liability company tied to the Salt Shed.
The plans note that Blue Star Properties and 16” on Center, the hospitality collective whose portfolio includes Empty Bottle, SPACE, Thalia Hall and the Salt Shed, don’t own the land where the expansion is proposed. But if a sale goes through, the plot at 1401-59 N. Magnolia Ave. would expand the companies’ entertainment holdings and the industrial-to-entertainment transformation happening along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
The companies didn't respond to a request for comment.
Plans for Salt Shed's expansion first emerged in October 2025, when Crain's Chicago Business reported the venue's owners were targeting the empty parcels for an outdoor music venue.
The site span 516,316 square feet and hugs the east side of the Chicago River. The lots are sometimes used for parking during shows and other events at the Salt Shed.
Site plans show a parking lot along West Le Moyne Street, with roughly 100 spaces for attendees and artists. Next to the lot would be offices and a building with artist dressing rooms, and the rest of the site, near West Blackhawk Street, would have an amphitheater and seating. There would also be a VIP seating section close to the stage, flanked by a general admission standing area and tiered seating behind it. In the center, behind VIP seating, is a bar.
West Blackhawk Street — which separates the Salt Shed and the prospective amphitheater — would be transformed into a landscaped public plaza connecting the two venues. Plans also show a pedestrian bridge on a portion of the street that would connect the venues. West Blackhawk Street is already closed during shows for security and entry lines.
The expansion would be a huge boon for the Salt Shed’s owners. The former Morton Salt factory venue is selling out most shows, the Sun-Times and WBEZ previously reported, and leaning into an on-site music village concept with a record store, guitar shop and food trucks. Earlier this year, tattoo parlor Deluxe Tattoo opened an outpost at the Salt Shed, offering tattoos inspired by artists performing at the venue.
The Salt Shed has a capacity of roughly 5,500 people for outdoor shows and 3,600 for indoor shows. The site plan doesn't specify the capacity of the new amphitheater, though Crain's Chicago Business previously reported it could be up to 15,000.
