NAPERVILLE — A major new addition is coming to the western suburbs’ dining scene as The Cheesecake Factory officially opens its doors at Naperville’s Block 59 shopping and entertainment district on Tuesday, June 17.
Located at 428 S. State Route 59, the restaurant is part of a sweeping redevelopment at the former Heritage Square site. The 8,700-square-foot location will house more than 310 new staff members, making it one of the largest job-generating restaurant openings in the area this year.
New Space, New Design
The Naperville location is bringing not just a legendary menu of 250+ dishes and dozens of cheesecake flavors, but also a fresh, high-end aesthetic. According to the company, the space features:
-
Herringbone flooring
-
Walnut-clad ceilings
-
Blown glass light fixtures
-
A custom mural above the cook’s line
The design reflects the upscale image Block 59 is aiming to cultivate as it becomes one of Naperville’s go-to destinations for food, leisure, and local commerce.
Block 59’s Rapid Growth
Block 59 isn’t just getting The Cheesecake Factory. Other recently opened or planned establishments include:
-
Shake Shack
-
Lazy Dog
-
Stan’s Donuts (opening in 2025)
-
Velvet Taco (opening in 2025)
-
Fresh Fin
-
Crisp & Green
-
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (expected early 2026)
The project’s redevelopment aims to transform the area into a full-fledged community hub, with walkable outdoor areas, grassy parks, and year-round activity zones.
“We really want to be the center of the community,” said Rich Dippolito, Vice President of Redevelopment for the project. “We want people to come and enjoy it — for it to be a space for the whole city of Naperville to enjoy.”
Regional Restaurant Expansion
With the Naperville opening, The Cheesecake Factory now operates seven locations in Illinois, including:
-
John Hancock Center in Chicago
-
Oakbrook Center
-
Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg
-
Lincolnshire Commons
-
Orland Park Square
-
Old Orchard Mall in Skokie
The move helps fill a local void after Grand Lux Café — a sister brand of The Cheesecake Factory — closed its Michigan Avenue location in 2023 after more than two decades in operation.
Naperville’s Dining Boom Reflects Suburban Shift
Block 59 is just one example of a larger trend across Chicagoland suburbs, where redevelopment of older retail sites into modern lifestyle centers is becoming more common.
Other major suburban makeovers include:
-
Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie
-
Golf Mill in Niles
-
The upcoming “APEX” district in Aurora
These new concepts are designed to bring in a mix of shopping, food, outdoor amenities, and family-focused experiences — positioning suburbs like Naperville as regional lifestyle destinations.
Have you visited the new Block 59 district yet? What do you think about suburban redevelopment projects like this one? Let us know in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
