CHICAGO — Vienna Beef, manufacturer and distributor of beef hot dogs and sausages, announced plans to invest $20 million in the redevelopment of its original headquarters into what will be known as the Vienna Beef Plaza. Located at 2501 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, the redesigned space will offer the complete Vienna Beef experience, including a restaurant, an outdoor plaza, retailers and office space.

 “Vienna Beef has long imagined what possibilities exist at our former factory location, where Vienna was in operation since the early 1970s. We couldn’t be more excited to see Vienna Beef Plaza come to life,” said Tom McGlade, senior vice president at Vienna Beef. “Vienna Beef is a Chicago company in its heart and at its core, and it only makes sense that there is a place in the city for enthusiasts to come and experience everything Vienna Beef — and Chicago — has to offer through excellent food, fun memorabilia and a thriving retail experience.”

As part of the project, the previous Vienna Beef Factory Store and Café will be resurrected at the plaza to offer a full line of Vienna Beef products as well as classic Chicago menu items and dining options. Scheduled to open in spring 2024, the restaurant will reflect Vienna Beef’s 130-year history as a Chicago-born and -made company, with memorabilia incorporated into the design.

The current Vienna Beef Factory Store location in Bridgeport will remain open, the company noted.

In addition to the restaurant, Vienna Beef is building office spaces for 50 of its employees, which will reside on the second floor, with retail space below. A prominent big-box store — whose identity is to be announced later — is joining several other retailers in the 150,000-square-foot development, Vienna Beef said.

The planned outdoor plaza space will include over 80 trees and a garden-like ambiance. Opportunities to host indoor and outdoor events will be made available once the development is complete.

Employees currently located at the Fulton Market and Bridgeport offices will relocate to Vienna Beef Plaza at the end of this year, the company said.