Design and Construction Report staff writer
The Chicago Plan Commission has approved the 1901 Project, a $7 billion redevelopment plan for the parking lots surrounding the United Center on the city’s Near West Side. Led by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, owners of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, the privately funded project will transform the area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with world-class amenities.
The project will create about 63,000 construction jobs over its lifetime, including 2,000 in Phase One. Spanning 55 acres, construction is expected to be completed by 2040, with Phase One scheduled to begin in 2025.Los Angeles-based firm RIOS is designing the development, with landscape work by Field Operations.
Phase One (2025-2028), with a $400 million budget, will focus on the southwest corner of the United Center complex. Key elements include:
- 6,000-Seat Music Hall: The venue will feature sweeping rooflines, perimeter retail spaces, and a rooftop park connected to 5.3 acres of green space.
- Mixed-Use Building: Built over existing receiving docks, the building will include three ground-floor commercial spaces, a broadcast center, offices, and parking. The second-floor parking could later be converted into retail space. A rooftop park will offer sports courts and recreational areas.
- Boutique Hotel Tower: This tower will include 233 hotel rooms, meeting spaces, a rooftop restaurant, fitness center, and park. Ground-floor retail and parking on the second and third floors will also be included.
- Public Plaza: A public plaza will connect the United Center to W. Adams Street, providing an inviting community space.
Future Phases (2031-2040) will add:
- Residential Units: A total of 9,463 units, with 20% designated as affordable housing.
- Office and Retail Space: 660,000 square feet of office space and 670,000 square feet of retail space.
- Hotel Rooms: An additional 1,309 hotel rooms.
- Green Space: 25 acres of parks, rooftop gardens, and public plazas.
- Pink Line Station: A new CTA Pink Line station to enhance transit options.
- Parking: 5,800 parking spaces, down from the current 6,500, reflecting a focus on public transit and walkability.
The 1901 Project is designed to integrate with surrounding neighborhoods through two zones:
- Inner Ring: A pedestrian-friendly area with vibrant public spaces.
- Outer Ring: Designed to connect with nearby residential and commercial areas.
The tallest buildings, reaching 660 feet, will be on the eastern side, aligning with the Fulton Market skyline. Buildings will taper toward the north and west to fit the surrounding lower-rise environment.
The 1901 Project will include green spaces, athletic courts, and public plazas accessible to everyone and exceeds initial proposals for affordable housing and may include student housing for nearby Malcolm X College.
Improved bus shelters, bike lanes, and a potential Pink Line station will enhance access to the area.
Once completed, the 1901 Project is expected to become a major destination, revitalizing the Near West Side with new residential, retail, and entertainment spaces while supporting job creation and community growth.