Chicago’s 1901 Project

$8bn 1901 sports anchored entertainment district set to transform West Side Chicago

Chicago’s 1901 Project is set to transform the West Side with a $8 billion investment in a 55-acre mixed-use development surrounding the United Center. The United Centre is home to the six-time World Champions Chicago Bulls and the six-time Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center hosts over 200 events annually, ranking as the second busiest arena in the United States and the third busiest in the world.

This initiative, masterplanned by RIOS aims to enhance a community in a historically marginalised area where the poverty rate is 18.3%. The first phase is made up of retail, entertainment, and residential spaces with a 6,000-seat music hall, a hotel, retail buildings, public open space, and thousands of apartments.

What’s interesting about this project is its full integration, which reminds me of our Athens Alive redevelopment of the OAKA Olympic Site. Our urban planner systematically broke down the barriers surrounding sports entertainment projects and was instrumental in integrating the facilities with the surrounding neighbourhood.

The 1901 Project initiative aims to create a thriving, interconnected neighbourhood. This approach signifies a fundamental shift in how the sports industry approaches urban development. Their vision extends beyond traditional, event-driven projects focused solely on sports venues; instead, they emphasize growth that benefits the surrounding neighbourhood.

Highlights:

Comprehensive Development: The project encompasses housing, retail, entertainment, and public open spaces, aiming to revitalise the area and enhance the local economy. The 1901 Project Chicago
Affordable Housing Commitment: Plans include 5,000 to 6,000 residential units, with 20% designated as affordable housing, addressing local housing needs. Chicago Agent Magazine

Community Engagement: The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, owners of the Bulls and Blackhawks, have a longstanding presence in Chicago’s West Side, emphasising their dedication to the community’s development. The 1901 Project Chicago
Economic Impact: The project is expected to create approximately 63,000 construction jobs and 13,000 permanent jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy. The Sun

The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, who own the National Basketball Association (NBA) Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, are making the largest private investment ever in the city’s West Side. A corporate entity associated with Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bulls and the White Sox, has been acquiring land around the United Center. Meanwhile, the Wirtz family is advancing a 700-acre mixed-use development plan in Mundelein, located in the northern suburbs. Recent zoning rights acquisitions suggest that more extensive projects could be forthcoming, including the addition of 1,200 residential units and another 663 hotel rooms as part of the Blackhawks’ ongoing expansion.

The first phase of the 1901 Project will include a theatre-style music hall and a 2.5-acre elevated park atop a structure that will also house parking, an expanded loading dock, and retail space. Additionally, the initial phase will feature open areas around the music venue, as well as a mixed-use building with parking, retail, and hotel accommodations.

Currently, the project does not seek public financing, though partnerships for infrastructure improvements and park space may be considered. While financing challenges exist due to high borrowing costs, the significant traffic draw generated by the United Center presents a real advantage that master planners and developers should take note of.