Formal renderings have been revealed along with new details for the proposed White Sox stadium within The 78. Located on the massive 62-acre vacant lot along the Chicago River and near the South Loop, the team will relocate from their current home at Guaranteed Rate Field near Bridgeport. The proposal is being led by the team and developer Related Midwest with an undisclosed architect.
Site plan of Guaranteed Rate redevelopment via Related Midwest
Site plan of Guaranteed Rate redevelopment via Related Midwest
Rendering of Guaranteed Rate redevelopment via Related Midwest
News on the potential move to the new megadevelopment was revealed last month after the team had begun talks about relocating. It’s also Related’s second attempt to bring a large anchor to the project’s north end after its casino bid. In order to address all aspects of the move, renderings were also shown for a potential redevelopment of Guaranteed Rate with a new mixed-use neighborhood on the parking lots around the stadium.
Rendering of Sox stadium in The 78 via Related Midwest
If plans move forward, the overall site plan of the development will need to be reconfigured, with the Well-Wentworth Connector being rerouted towards the river’s edge around the stadium. This will bring a new low-rise structure along the river that could also connect to the stadium similar to Guaranteed Rate’s current entrance, with the home plate located on its southwest corner to maximize skyline views.
Rendering of Sox stadium in The 78 via Related Midwest
Rendering of Sox stadium in The 78 via Related Midwest
The stadium will open up towards a large plaza and green space that steps down towards the river to the north, with a massive screen facing the outside to allow the public to view the game. The updated design will include a rearrangement of the high-rises within the megadevelopment with DPI still included in the plans. These mixed-use towers will hold residential, hotel, and entertainment elements as well.
Rendering of Sox stadium in The 78 via Related Midwest
It is unclear where, but the project will include a 4,000-vehicle parking garage. The project will require further development, community involvement, and approvals prior to moving forward, with the team’s current lease ending after the 2029 season. Currently a budget is unknown and could include public funding. Related has also updated the 78’s website to include the stadium proposal.
The news also come after the Bears continue to negotiate their new home with a focus on the lakefront.
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Get that thing in the 78!
This is cool. And transit oriented.
4000 parking spots is transit-oriented? In what universe?
People drive in Chicago. This isn’t Tokyo. If its all underground parking nice, I say so be it. It wouldn’t interfere with the development.
I am curious where you got the second and third picture in this article. That is not a site plan of the 78. It looks like a site plan of where the current stadium is given the proximity to the highway and railyard. Are they sill considering redeveloping the existing area in Bridgeport?
Hey Al, those are study renderings of how to redevelop the Bridgeport stadium.
Terrific. Bring it on. Reinsdorf will likely get it without spending a penny.
Sox Park isn’t a bad stadium. If Reinsdorf wants to turn it into a great game day atmosphere, I don’t understand why he doesn’t just plat the parking lots into standard 25×125 Chicago lots. Reserve the end lots for bar and restaurant use. It would fill up in less than two years.
This plan looks like what was done in Minneapolis, Cincinnati, and San Diego. None of those are great. Downtowns are often empty on weekends and evenings when games are played. But neighborhoods endure.
I completely agree with you, the parking lots around Guaranteed Rate stadium are a significant part of what’s keeping the area underdeveloped. Same with the United Center.
Imagine what would be possible for Chicago if we freed ourselves from the auto-oriented boat anchor.
As noted, parking is not shown in the renderings. How much land would be devoted to the stadium and parking? 40 acres? The assessor can easily provide how much property tax can be generated over 40 acres of housing in the Near South Side community area.
This plan seems like it would devalue 3 pieces of property. Prevent 365 days of activity along the river with 81 days of baseball, replace 81 days of baseball with 17 days of soccer at 35th street, and take 17 days of events out of soldier field.
I agree with your concerns. Thanks for contributing this insightful commentary.
there is currrently 0 days of activity along this portion of the river
81 is better than 0
I want this. We need this. This needs to happen. It should have happening in 1991.
Make it happen!
So much for the City’s goal of bringing economic development to the south side…
build it