The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families are planning to convert the 55 acres surrounding Chicago’s United Center into a $7 billion mixed-used campus that would be the largest private investment in the city’s West Side.
Michael Reinsdorf, the COO of the Chicago Bulls, and Danny Wirtz, CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, are leading the proposal, formally called The 1901 Project. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the project still needs to be approved by local officials and, if successful, construction is expected to last 10 years. It would include green space, mixed-income housing, a music hall and other real estate development across a seven-phase plan.
Jerry Reinsdorf, Michael’s father and owner of the Bulls and Chicago White Sox, and Rocky Wirtz, the Blackhawks owner who died in July 2023, originally conceived the idea for development around the United Center. The Sun-Times reported that the plan would move forward without a request for any government or city funding.
“This investment will create a thriving, interconnected neighborhood, delivering significant benefits and resources to the community we have long called home,” Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
The group retained Chicago-based architectural firm Site Design Group and the design company RIOS. MLS’ FC Cincinnati also picked RIOS to facilitate the $300 million mixed-use district north of TQL Stadium in June 2023.
Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development said the city is still waiting for a formal application from the developer, at which point a vote would take place on the final approval.
The first phase of the project, the construction of a new parking facility with green space on its roof, is expected to begin in spring 2025. Jerry Reinsdorf spent nearly $45 million to acquire the parking areas in February.
A replacement for Chicago Stadium, the United Center cost $175 million to build in 1992, and its construction was privately financed. The 23,500-seat arena opened in August 1994 after the first Bulls’ NBA championship three-peat.
The stadium proposal follows the recent launch of a new regional sports network that will carry Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks games.
The “Madhouse on Madison” hosted all three of the NBA Finals during the Bulls’ second three-peat as well as the Blackhawks’ three Stanley Cup runs in the 2010s. The arena is slated to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August, where Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to accept the party’s presidential nomination.
With assistance from Daniel Libit.