GLENVIEW, IL – The Foxtail at Glen View House took a major leap toward opening on Friday, August 14, 2026, as owners, local officials, and community members gathered for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and the installation of the restaurant's new signage at the historic 1843 Glenview Rd. property.
The restaurant officially opens on Tuesday. The $5.25 million renovation project is now in its final stretch, with interior work nearly complete and finishing touches being made to outdoor spaces.
Village officials project the Mediterranean-style eatery will open by late August or September. The newly installed signage, approved by the village board in June 2025, features two prominent front-facing wall signs bearing the names "The Foxtail" and "Glen View House"—the latter spelled as two words to honor the building's original 1890s branding.
A Showpiece Outdoor Space.
Friday's ceremony included dinner on the restaurant's double-deck balcony in the back—a feature the village and restaurant refer to as "the garage."
The expansive balcony, which will seat 150 guests, is enclosed on all sides with large fabric flaps that can be dropped down to completely seal both floors. This design allows for year-round outdoor dining, even during the harsh Illinois winters.
Securing approval for this large rear extension was a critical condition for Foxtail before moving forward with the property purchase. Village trustees and village president Mike Jenny attended the ribbon-cutting, signaling strong local support for the project. None of the village official stayed for dinner.
Opening Next Week
The restaurant will begin welcoming guests on Tuesday. Honoring HistoryThe Foxtail project represents a respectful revival of one of Glenview's most historically significant buildings.
According to the Glenview History Center, the structure served as an inn, eatery, tavern, and even a brothel in the late 19th century before hosting the first Glenview village board meeting in 1899."The Foxtail proposal represents a respectful reuse of the Glenview House," Susan Johns, president of the Glenview History Center, said in a letter to trustees earlier this year. "We look forward to seeing The Foxtail continue the tradition of this site serving as a hub of community activity.
"The renovation, closely monitored by history center officials, modernizes the interior while preserving key historic elements. Village trustees approved financial incentives for the project, including a $1.5 million loan and a $1.4 million "gap incentive" grant.
The Foxtail Restaurant Group, which operates several upscale dining locations across the region, is bringing Mediterranean cuisine to Glenview's downtown dining scene.
The opening comes as another local institution prepares to close—Hackney's on Lake announced it will shut its doors in early September after more than 70 years in business in Glenview.
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