United Center owners unveil proposal for $7 billion campus development

United Center’s owners have unveiled a proposal for a $7 billion mixed-use development project surrounding the famed West Side arena, located at 1901 W. Madison Street. 

Dubbed The 1901 project, the joint venture led by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families will feature a combination of housing, retail, entertainment, and public space, according to a statement released by the project’s partners.  

According to a release, construction on The 1901 Project is anticipated to take place over 10 years, with the first phase beginning in early 2025. The initial phase will reportedly encompass a 6,000-seat music hall, a unique “elevated” park space, reconstructed parking facilities, and various buildings for hotel and retail space.

“The vision for The 1901 Project is to bring impactful investment and economic opportunity to the West Side that compliments and supports its rich history and galvanizes its vibrancy,” said United Center co-owner Danny Wirtz. 

“We aim to create a development alongside our neighbors to deliver jobs, housing, commerce, and community resources, creating a more prosperous future for all residents.”

The ambitious venture promises to serve as a “catalytic development for Chicago’s West Side and a world-class destination for all of Chicago”, according to the statement. The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families are optimistic that the development will ripple across the Near West Side, stimulating the local economy and opening new doors for residents. 

The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families project the venture will create approximately 12,000 permanent jobs upon completion, and an additional 63,000 construction jobs during the development phase. Estimates suggest the project could generate as much as $9.5 billion in economic impact and $40 million in tax revenue.

At a Tuesday press conference, United Center’s owners confirmed that they would not be seeking public funding for the project, as with the proposals for the new Bears and White Sox stadiums, according to a report by Block Club Chicago.

The project can potentially transform the United Center grounds, which have long been occupied by barren parking spaces. Under the new proposal, the surrounding area could become as much of a destination as the United Center itself, appropriately accompanying the mega stadium with additional hospitality and tourism infrastructure. 

“The 1901 Project represents a continuation of our families’ 100-years-and-counting commitment to the future of Chicago’s West Side,” Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “This investment will create a thriving, interconnected neighborhood, delivering significant benefits and resources to the community we have long called home.”