Eataly Is on Track for a November Opening in Back Bay

Eataly Boston is still on track for a late 2016 opening, and it’s been a long time coming. Back in November 2013, news first came out that the Eataly team (which includes the B&B Hospitality Group — Joe Bastianich, Lidia Bastianich, and Mario Batali) had been eyeing Boston real estate for more than a year, including spots in the Quincy Market area and Back Bay.

But a lease for the Italian food wonderland wasn’t signed until mid-2015, and construction got underway shortly after. Eataly now has almost 30 locations around the world, including United States outposts in New York City and Chicago, and each requires a lot of space. It’s a big complex of multiple sit-down and quick-service restaurants, as well as a marketplace of Italian goods. The three-level Boston location will span 45,000 square feet, partly sitting in the existing portion of the Prudential Center and partly in the newly constructed addition.

News that the late 2016 opening estimate — more specifically November — is holding steady comes via The Boston Globe, citing an update from landlord Boston Properties. The buildout is reportedly nearing completion, and Eataly has begun to advertise lots of open positions, from wine store manager to pastry chef.

Last summer, the existing Prudential food court shuttered to make way for the construction; nine businesses, including Cheeseboy, Boston Chowda Co., Panda Express, and Qdoba, closed. The mall still has a number of other dining options, including Top of the Hub, a fairly new Sweetgreen location, Wagamama, 5 Napkin Burger, and more. Canadian chain Earls Kitchen + Bar is also coming to the Prudential, but not until spring 2017.

• Here Comes Eataly and More Intel From One of Boston’s Biggest Landlords [BG]
• Eataly to Open Within the Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay in November [BRT]
• Eataly Coverage on Eater [EBOS]