Eataly Is Coming to the Prudential for Real

Last month, Mario Batali's team announced that they were close to signing a lease to bring Eataly to Boston's Prudential Center. Now, that lease has officially been signed, BostInno reports, citing a press release from Boston Properties.

The Italian food complex — a mix of restaurants, quick-service options, and a marketplace selling Italian goods — will span 45,000 square feet over three levels, taking up part of the existing Prudential as well as expanding into a newly constructed section.

There are nearly 30 Eataly locations around the world; the first was in Turin, Italy. In the United States, there's currently one in New York City and one in Chicago. Construction of the upcoming Boston location could start as soon as next month, and the company is aiming for a late 2016 opening.

Meanwhile, Batali and co. have just opened up their first Boston project, Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca, which has been crowded since day one.