Downtown Batavia presents a unique real estate opportunity: an entire riverfront block has remained on the market for several years. The current owner is actively seeking to transfer ownership, and development projects are already slated for the area.
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/21-N-River-St-Batavia-IL/33564926/?siteid=6891
If we’re honest about it,for River Street to achieve its full potential these properties need to be occupied or sold. Feel free to spread the word and although these may be older properties, the city has recently approved projects which will be happening in the immediate area.
The properties along North River Street offer an exceptional opportunity for businesses looking to establish themselves in a bustling and scenic area with heavy weekend traffic and excellent exposure.
21 N. River Street (1st Floor) – Office / Retail Space
This versatile first-floor suite is a fantastic location for an office or small retail business, offering an adaptable layout in excellent condition.
Size: 2,400 – 4,800 Square Feet
Pricing: $15.00 per square foot per year ($1.25 /SF/MO)
Property Details: The space is fully built-out as a professional services office featuring a mostly open floor plan, making it highly adaptable to a variety of modern business needs. It is available for lease immediately.
History: For nearly three decades, this building served as the long-time headquarters for Bruce Harris & Associates (BHA), a prominent Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping company founded in 1995. BHA successfully operated from this location, serving local governments nationwide, until the company was acquired by Schneider Geospatial in early 2026, opening up this premier office space for its next chapter.
27 N. River Street – Bar & Restaurant
Ideal for a food or beverage venture, this retail and bar space is perfectly sized for a cozy wine bar, sandwich shop, or modern tavern.
Size: 3,100 Square Feet
Pricing: $16.00 per square foot base rent
Property Details: According to the property brochure, the space is fully built-out as a drinking establishment with a small kitchen area. It is well-appointed on River Street and features a fantastic outdoor patio facing the street, allowing a business to directly capitalize on pedestrian traffic and warm-weather community events.
History: The building itself has deep historical roots, dating back to the 1880s. In recent years, it has been a vibrant part of Batavia’s downtown dining and entertainment scene. It was most notably home to Bar Evolution, a popular local establishment celebrated for its draft beer, specialty cocktails, and lively weekend music scene, proving the location’s ongoing success as a nightlife and hospitality venue.
31 N. River Street – Restaurant & Event Space
A vast, highly visible property ready to accommodate a large-scale restaurant, brewery, or event venue.
Size: 11,020 Square Feet
Pricing: $12.00 per square foot base rent
Property Details: The property brochure highlights that this massive space is fully built-out for a restaurant and cafe. It comes equipped with a large kitchen, a dedicated event space, and a huge outdoor patio facing River Street complete with fire tables. It also offers excellent convenience with a public parking lot located immediately next door.
History: This property is steeped in Batavia’s industrial history. Originally constructed prior to 1885, the building operated as a creamery for the Kee & Chapell Dairy until the late 1920s before transitioning to warehouse and commercial uses. For generations, the site was defined by a towering 111-foot historic brick smokestack—a beloved relic of the city’s riverfront factory era (though the chimney was ultimately approved for demolition in late 2025 due to severe structural deterioration). Commercially, the space is famously known to locals as the home of Pal Joey’s, a beloved regional pizzeria that originally opened its Batavia doors here in 2012, cementing the building’s legacy as a premier dining and gathering destination.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the restaurant and bar properties at 27 and 31 N. River Street, prospective tenants can contact the listing brokers:
Ryan Samuelson: 630.674.8424 | Sammy@ccreil.com
Phil Smith: 630.862.5944 | phil@ccreil.com
Author: Jim Fahrenbach
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