Further details and renderings have been revealed as the Chicago Plan Commission has approved the new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Located on the intersection of S DuSable Lake Shore Drive and E 87th Street on the southern half of the former South Works site, plans were revealed earlier this year to neighborhood concerns.
Site context map of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park via Google Maps
Led by California based PsiQuantum and Related Midwest, the approval is the first major step in rezoning the more than 400-acres of land that could one day hold over 59 million square-feet of space. However this first portion will occupy around 128 of those acres with 458,000 square-feet of space, becoming home to the nation’s first utility scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer.
PREVIOUS rendering of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by LJC
PREVIOUS rendering of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by LJC
Designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative, we now have more details on how said first portion of the campus will be phased out. Previous renderings showed a large warehouse style structure that would have housed the computer itself, that has now been split into four separate buildings of which the first will span 88,000 square-feet dedicated to offices and research.
Site plan of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Site plan of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Joining the research building with its sweeping metal clad curves, will be a new access road and the cryogenic cooling facility needed to run the computers. Eventually, three large warehouse buildings will go up along the Calumet River to hold the computer itself, each one will be its own phase and will require further review and approvals.
Rendering of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of phase one of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
The rest of the southern portion of the larger site will be for additional developments within the greater park, as it will partner with multiple companies and universities including the University of Illinois. The developers have also pledged to improve and expand the existing Steelworkers Park with added space around the north slip as well as new paths.
Rendering of expanded Steelworkers Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Additionally, the team will build affordable single family homes across 42 lots they will acquire with the steelworks site in the surrounding area, with no residential pitched within the greater park itself. With a total cost of $9 billion, PsiQuantum has pledged $1 billion as well as the state, federal, and local governments providing funding itself.
Rendering of adjacent streetscapes next to Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of adjacent streetscapes next to Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
The project will need City Council approval prior to moving forward, the development team will hold pre-bidding meetings with contractors early December. If approvals go well, this first phase could break ground in the first quarter of 2025, a year ahead of its originally announced schedule.
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Wow this is actually an incredible plan. Would love to see this get built. Props to everyone involved.