Chicago is Getting the World's Largest Starbucks

PHOTO: Starbucks will open its third Reserve Roastery in Chicago. (photo via Flickr/Thomas Kramer) Chicago's Magnificent Mile will soon be the site of a caffeinated paradise.Seattle-based coffee company Starbucks announced this week that it plans to open a Reserve Roastery in the Windy City during 2019.Located on the corner of North Michigan Avenue and East Erie Street, the tourist attraction will span four stories and 43,000 square feet. MORE Destination & TourismInside, hard-to-find small-batch Starbucks Reserve coffees will be roasted, brewed and packaged. In addition to trying new drinks, coffee lovers will be able to interact and learn all about various roasting, brewing and mixing methods. The roastery will also feature fresh baking on-site so guests can pair their joe with one of Italian baker Rocco Princi's food creations."Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, so we took our time to find an incredible space to match the unprecedented coffee experience our premium Roastery will offer," said Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz in a statement. "To be located on one of the best-known retail streets in the world is a proud moment for all of us and we can't wait to bring Chicago and the world a coffee experience worthy of their most premier real estate."As one of the city's most popular attractions, the Magnificent Mile was a big reason Chicago welcomed a record 54.1 million visitors last year. The new Starbucks Reserve Roastery will only add to the Mile's appeal as the city eyes its goal of hosting 55 million visitors by 2020. READ MORE: Chicago's Bucket-List Summer Experiences "Chicago’s Magnificent Mile brings in millions of visitors from across this globe and is the perfect location for a world-class coffee destination," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement.Those who can't wait until 2019 can visit the original Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle. A second location is on track to open in New York City next year while a Starbucks Reserve Roastery is scheduled to open in Shanghai, China later this year and two others are planned for Milan, Italy and Tokyo, Japan in 2018.Chicago will also welcome a Starbucks Reserve store to the West Loop during 2018.Follow @_Pat_Clarke