$7 Billion Development to Transform Chicago's West Side Starting in 2025

Key Takeaways

• The United Center owners have unveiled a $7 billion development project, known as The 1901 Project, aimed at transforming Chicago’s West Side.
• The project will include housing, retail, entertainment, and public spaces on over 55 acres surrounding the United Center.
• Initial construction will feature a 6,000-seat music hall, an elevated park, reimagined parking facilities, and various retail and hospitality options.
• Future phases will introduce diverse housing options and improved transportation links.
• The development is expected to generate approximately 63,000 construction jobs, pending city council approval.

The owners of the United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, have announced an ambitious $7 billion development plan set to reshape Chicago's West Side starting in 2025. Dubbed The 1901 Project, this expansive mixed-use initiative will cover more than 55 acres surrounding the arena, marking the largest private investment ever made in the city's West Side.

The first phase of construction will focus on surface parking lots adjacent to the arena and will feature several key elements:

• A 6,000-seat theater-style music hall designed to host a variety of music, arts, and cultural events.
• An elevated park on the west side of the campus, offering over 10 acres of public recreational and community space.
• Revamped parking facilities and enhancements to pedestrian infrastructure, including improved walkability, lighting, roads, and bike lanes.
• A mix of hospitality and retail options aimed at bolstering local commerce and job creation.

Future development phases will introduce a range of housing options, including affordable, market rate, and luxury units, along with transportation improvements to better connect the area through bike, pedestrian, car, and rail enhancements.

The development is projected to create around 63,000 construction jobs. The project is set to begin in the spring, pending approval from the city council. Michael Reinsdorf and Danny Wirtz, the owners of the United Center, view this as a unique opportunity to build on Chicago's legacy and contribute to the city's growth.