CHICAGO — The Chicago City Council has approved a transformative plan for the area around the United Center, home to the NBA’s Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks, allowing for a remarkable $7 billion development project. The initiative aims to replace existing parking lots with a vibrant mix of green spaces, diverse housing options, a music venue, and additional amenities.

The ambitious undertaking, known as the 1901 Project, is being championed by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, who own the United Center. Spanning over 55 acres of privately held land, the project will unfold in several phases over roughly ten years and is positioned as the largest private investment in Chicago’s West Side.

Michael Reinsdorf, CEO of the Bulls, hailed the approval as a significant milestone for the West Side. He articulated that the project represents more than just physical development; it symbolizes a groundbreaking commitment to shaping the region’s future. “We are thrilled at the chance to reshape what the future may hold for our community and look forward to bringing this vision to life,” he remarked.

The initial phase of the project includes plans for a 6,000-seat theater, multi-level parking equipped with rooftop green spaces, wider sidewalks for pedestrians, bike lanes, and both hotel and retail developments. Future phases are expected to introduce additional housing and enhancements to transportation in the vicinity.

Danny Wirtz, chairman of the Blackhawks, expressed the sentiment of forging a unique path without a set blueprint for the development. He emphasized the goal of creating inclusive spaces that can uplift all generations, ultimately enriching the cultural and economic landscape of the West Side.

This project’s approval arrives at a pivotal time when both the NFL’s Chicago Bears and MLB’s Chicago White Sox—also owned by the Reinsdorfs—are actively pursuing new stadiums funded by public investment. The Bears are exploring plans for a new enclosed stadium adjacent to Soldier Field as part of a revamped museum campus, while also considering a site in suburban Arlington Heights and the former Michael Reese Hospital location on the near South Side.

Meanwhile, the White Sox are contemplating a relocation from Guaranteed Rate Field, aiming to build a new ballpark village in the city’s South Loop that would integrate green spaces, residential areas, and commercial enterprises.