Progress at McDonald’s Park in the South Loop is showing signs of the soccer stadium it aspires to be, as the seating bowl begins to take shape for the Chicago Fire FC’s new home pitch. Vertical progress began on the stadium’s west side, and has now moved around the southwest corner to the south end of the stadium while continuing to stretch toward the north end.
Before the Fire put 11 men on the pitch, the three-player team of Pepper Construction, GMA Construction, and A.L.L. Construction is bringing design architect Gensler’s creation to life. The first level of seating above the playing surface is taking shape, with stepped concrete evident along the west side. Concrete columns are being formed as progress continues to move closer to the northwest corner of the site before it makes another 90° turn for the north end.
As it turns out, those trailer loads of yellow crane segments spotted on our previous visit were not, in fact, for the Liebherr tower crane to be erected on the east side of the site. Instead, they’re for a crawler crane that is now assembled and on the job. Sorry about that, folks. But there very definitely is a yellow crane doing heavy lifting here.
Yellow crane parts? Yes. Parts for a yellow tower crane? No, no they were not. Sorry, folks. I jumped the gun. Photo by Daniel Schell
The south end of the soccer stadium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Rendering of the Chicago Fire FC stadium by Gensler, from the perspective of fans seated near the southeast corner of the pitch
Rendering by Gensler showing the west side and south end of the stadium, which now show construction progress
Night-time concert rendering by Gensler, looking straight north from upper-deck seating
Seating tiers on the west side of the stadium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Progress now stretches counterclockwise to the south end of the stadium, with columns on the right spreading north. Photo by Daniel Schell
A good look at the stepped concrete for seating tiers on the second level. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Pouring concrete into a column, pushing construction toward the northwest corner of the stadium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Looking straight south from Roosevelt Road to the south end of the stadium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The construction site from the north side of West Roosevelt Road. Photo by Daniel Schell
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Once again…Hey Bear’s…you watching this!
Either this location OR one just west of the river were my suggestions for the ill-fated Lucas Museum. I feel vindicated, now, that a great public facility is being constructed on the very site that I felt was infinately superior to the lakefront site chosen by Lucas’. Guest arrival by boat – as was done in Pittsgurgh’s Three Rivers Stadium River – would have been superb…a real drawing card…access could still be by boat in the same mannner for the Fire. At any rate, BEARS are you paying attention??
I hope that the upcoming Sox ownership can make a stadium across the river happen, how cool it would be to have a stadium district pop up in this area. I know its a long shot.
Well, if it did, be ready for 300 acres of surface parking!
Lets face it, it’s not 1916 any more. Any stadium comes with TONS of parking, whether or not it’s privately or publicly built.
I’m glad for McDonald’s Park but when we look at prior visions for The 78 (mixed use district with highrises, offices, and a subway station) and compare it to what we are actually getting (a stadium that will be surrounded by parking for decades), I think the best thing we can say is, “at least it’s no longer a giant weedy lot!”
I was so spot on!
It is remarkable how quickly this has progressed!
Don’t tell Tupper that.
He’ll remind you of the failures upon failures of a privately financed stadium that’s not even finished.
Granted, we’re all probably so Jaded on the Bears’ inability to just figure out which city they can grift the most. It’s unthinkable that a stadium basically rose out of the ground from planning all under 2 years’ time.
Great pics Daniel. I walked over to the Roosevelt Road overpass and looked at your view. Your camera is amazing.
Thank you Leonard. Zoom lenses are a wonderful thing.
I love/hate, how some people post about what they would do.
To put it in perspective, you know that there is someone without a job, who feels like he has the answer to the Bears stadium trouble.
I hope sailgating becomes a thing here
Amazing coverage as always, Daniel. Thanks for all you do. I read this blog daily.
I was on the water taxi recently en route to Chinatown. Passing McDonald’s Park construction was a total wait, what?! moment. As commented, the progress on this is remarkable –as are Daniel Schell’s photos sharing an even more impressive perspective than the one I got from a boat.
They’re now standing a large yellow crane segment up vertically on the east side of the site. The other tower crane may finally be going up.
Indeed. A friend sent me a photo of it this morning.