iO Leaving Lake View in July

iO has found a new home. 

The improv theater and training center — which currently is located in Wrigleyville — will be moving to the Clybourne Corridor area next July. The new location is 33,000 square feet, and will feature a huge bar, an outdoor beer garden, an event space, four theaters and plenty of classrooms. 

"It's a huge, huge, wonderful place," said iO co-founder Charna Halpern. "The building is beautiful and warm — its like a giant ski lodge." 

The new building is located at 1501 Kingsbury St., near Steppenwolf Theatre, Royal George and Second City, turning the area into even more of a major theater district. 

"[iO] was a great boutique theater for [Lake View]," Halpern said. "There were people that came a couple times a week, but I'm sure they'll follow us." 

The new theater is expected to open in July, and the Wrigleyville location will remain open until then.