Toteme Leased Retail Space on Oak Street
The luxury brand will open a new shop on Chicago's Gold Coast, replacing the departing Christofle at 40 East Oak.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Commercial
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Fashion label Toteme has secured 1,100 square feet of retail space at 40 East Oak Street, a 20-story residential building. The brand replaces Christofle, which recently relocated its storefront to the nearby Drake Hotel.
Why it matters
The arrival of Toteme signals continued retail interest in the Gold Coast as the district works to fill vacancies. This lease activity contributes to an ongoing cooling of local retail availability rates.
Toteme committed to an 1,100-square-foot footprint at 40 East Oak Street. This space previously hosted Christofle, while current Mag Mile availability remains at 26.1 percent.
The players
Toteme
A global luxury fashion brand with existing retail operations in New York City, Los Angeles, Aspen, and Miami.
Berger Realty Group
The property owner and developer responsible for the 40 East Oak Street building and its recent facade and storefront upgrades.
Christofle
A luxury home goods and silverware retailer that recently moved its local storefront from Oak Street to the Drake Hotel.
The details
Toteme will begin the build-out of its new store next week to transform the ground-floor retail unit. Berger Realty Group, which owns the building, recently completed physical upgrades to the property including renovations to the facade, entry doors, and canopy to attract new commercial tenants. The space is located alongside existing retailers like Golden Goose in the high-traffic Gold Coast corridor.
Timeline
Toteme signed the lease agreement in October 2026.
Construction work for the new retail space begins the week of October 12, 2026.
The Home Front
Retail activity in the Gold Coast area is currently tracking against a broader recovery of the Mag Mile, where availability rates have fallen from a pandemic-era high of 33.8 percent. The consistent investment in building upgrades by owners like Berger Realty Group remains a key driver.
Residents in the Gold Coast area may notice construction activity starting at the base of 40 East Oak Street during the week of October 12. If you live or shop in the neighborhood, expect minor sidewalk traffic adjustments near the building entrance during the build-out process.
The takeaway
The transformation of the 40 East Oak ground floor highlights the ongoing evolution of Chicago's premier shopping corridors. Property owners continue to prioritize cosmetic updates to building facades to attract high-end tenants.
Further reading
For more on how local business shifts affect our city, visit Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Real Deal New York.
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