From left to right: BHLDN, Perchance, Y-3, Brunello Cucinelli, and Tory Burch
 

1. VERA WANG
35 E. Oak St.; verawang.com
(moving January)
Hermès is expecting a new neighbor: The biggest name in designer bridal gowns, which start in the thousands of dollars, has plans to scoot into the space upstairs.

2. TORY BURCH
45 E. Oak St.; toryburch.com
(opened October)
Buoyed by strong sales at its first Chicago shop on Walton Street, Tory Burch opened the doors to bigger digs for its cheery tunics (from $250) and logo-stamped accessories.

3. Y-3
50 E. Oak St.; y-3store.com
(opened September)
Adidas’s project with designer Yohji Yamamoto puts a high-fashion spin on classic sports gear (think tracksuits and sweats in opulent fabrics and prices above $200).

4. ESCADA
51 E. Oak St.; escada.com
(moving March)
The high-end European ready-to-wear retailer—now on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Chestnut Street—signed a lease for the space where Yves Saint Laurent closed its doors in 2010.

5. BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
939 N. Rush St.; brunellocucinelli.com
(opens March)
This Italian clothier plans to import cashmere sweaters (from $700) and other luxury sportswear—all manufactured in a medieval castle—to Rush Street come spring.

6. BHLDN
8 E. Walton St.; bhldn.com
(opens February)
BHLDN (pronounced “Beholden”) is set to unveil its second U.S. brick-and-mortar shop for vintage-looking and whimsical wedding gowns (from $600), party dresses (from $200), and special-occasion accessories.

7. PERCHANCE
11 E. Walton St.; perchanceboutique.com
(opened September)
This Lake View source for women’s designer clothes launched a second, more upscale location in the Elysian hotel with hard-to-find lines including Erin Fetherston and Marchesa.

8. PATAGONIA
48 E. Walton St.; patagonia.com
(opens December)
The active-sports outfitter’s second Chicago location has more than 6,300 square feet for fleece jackets, down-filled hoodies, and other body-temp-regulating, sweat-wicking gear.
 

IN THE WORKS
A three-story retail complex is under construction at Esquire Theater (58 E. Oak St.), where movie screens have been dark since 2006. Developers vow to keep the historic cinema’s iconic sign on the new façade.

Photography: Courtesy of vendors