Riverfront Location Provides Full-Service Latin-American Bistro with a River View
PEORIA, IL (August 4, 2025) – The City of Peoria is proud to announce the successful revitalization of the Powell Press Building, the oldest commercial structure in Peoria, into a new full-service Latin American bistro, El Mirador en el Rio.
Located at 110 NE Water Street, the city-owned Powell Press Building was originally constructed in 1852 and has seen a range of uses over its long history, from a printing shop to a riverfront visitor center. In recent years, the building sat vacant after briefly serving as an ice cream shop.
With a key riverfront location, the city aimed to transform the space to operate as a café or snack shop and issued a request for qualifications late last year. El Mirador en el Rio was selected for a three-year lease with the option to renew with the city.
Co-owners Julia Salvatierra and Raam Adi led a full renovation to transform the historic structure into a contemporary dining destination, investing over $150,000, along with $50,000 from the city for tenant improvements to transform the building into a restaurant with outdoor seating. Work began in March of this year, and the restaurant officially opened on July 4. The updated space features a reconfigured kitchen, modern interior design, and a pergola-covered outdoor patio with views of the Illinois River and the CEFCU Stage.
El Mirador en el Rio offers a diverse menu of Latin American-inspired dishes, specialty cocktails, brunch items, and desserts. A cherry blossom tree centerpiece inside the dining area adds a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the energy the restaurant has already brought to the riverfront.
“The city is proud to partner with El Mirador en el Rio,” said Assistant City Manager Kimberly Richardson. “We’re breathing new life into the historic Powell Press Building and have transformed it into a vibrant Latin café with stunning river views. It honors the building’s past while creating something new and vibrant.”