CHICAGO — The Chicago City Council has officially approved a significant $7 billion project aimed at revitalizing the area around the United Center, home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks. The approval means that existing parking lots will be transformed into green spaces, mixed-income housing, a music hall, and additional amenities.
Known as the 1901 Project, this initiative is heralded as the largest private investment to take place in Chicago’s West Side. The project is being led by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, who both own the arena. Spanning across more than 55 acres of privately held land, the development will be executed in phases over the next decade.
Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact, stating, “Today is a historic moment for the West Side. This project is more than just development. It’s a bold and unprecedented commitment to the future of our community. We are excited for the opportunity to reimagine what the future can look like. Our team is eager to get to work and turn this vision into reality.”
Initial plans for the project include building a 6,000-seat performing arts theater, multi-level parking facilities topped with greenspaces, improved sidewalks for pedestrians, bike lanes, as well as hotel and retail options. Future phases are projected to expand on these foundations through the addition of more housing and transportation upgrades.
Blackhawks chairman Danny Wirtz highlighted the innovative spirit behind the project similar to saying, “We set out to do something with no existing blueprint. Our commitment is to create spaces that empower all generations, fostering a thriving community that enhances the cultural and economic fabric of the West Side.”
This development’s approval arrives at a critical moment as the NFL’s Chicago Bears and MLB’s Chicago White Sox, who are also under the ownership of the Reinsdorfs, look to establish new stadiums utilizing public funds. The Bears are exploring options for an enclosed stadium adjacent to Soldier Field, envisioning it as part of a redesigned museum campus. Additionally, they own a large 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, which has potential for a new stadium, and they are considering the old Michael Reese Hospital site on the near South Side.
Similarly, the White Sox are planning to relocate from Guaranteed Rate Field, aiming to build a new stadium as part of a ballpark village in the South Loop that would include green spaces, residential areas, and commercial enterprises.
