The Chicago City Council has approved the massive Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the South Side. Set to replace the long-vacant 400-acre former South Works site, the project is already attracting new investments as IBM has announced a new research center within the campus. With the complex expected to break ground early next year.
Site context map of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park via Google Maps
Site plan of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Led by developer Related Midwest along with CRG, the campus will be anchored by California based PsiQuantum and will contain the nation’s first utility scale, fault tolerant quantum computer. This will be located within the initial 128-acre complex designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative. Initial site work will include a new access road and any additional remediation.
Site plan of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Sitting on the south end of the site will be a new cryogenic cooling facility, an 88,000-square-foot office building which will be built first, and four large warehouse-style structures for the computer itself. Later phases will include additional office, research, and auxiliary buildings built in late phases. Partnerships will include the University of Illinois among others.
Rendering of phase one of Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Subsidized by both the state and city as well as supported by the local alderman and representatives, the bet on quantum is already paying off as IBM announces a new research center in Chicago expected to open next year. This will be temporarily located at Hyde Park Labs until the park opens, it will build its own quantum computer and employ 50 people.
Rendering of expanded Steelworkers Park by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
The city approval includes the improvement and expansion of the current Steelworkers park, and the ability to build as much as 59.3 square feet of buildings across the full site. The park will cost around $9 billion to build and is already partially funded through private and public means. Work is expected to be completed on the first phases by the end of 2026.
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Let’s just hope that the new Friends of the Formerly Industrial Wastelands group doesn’t try and delay this project.
The nice thing about this being built here in Chicago is that when our robot overlords take over they are going to make sure not to aim a nuke anywhere near the sentient quantum brain that rules over all.
Does anyone know what’s happening with Halsted Pointe? Did that ever start? They received funding almost a year ago. What about the North Union Project on Wells? Our city has fallen so far behind that we can’t even have a top 31 countdown anymore. Any news on Lincoln Yards? We need a mayor that actually promotes the city. This has been painful to watch the last few years. Then you look at NYC, Miami, even Atlanta and Dallas as building a lot more than us.
North Union has been pushed further out (2029-2030) I believe instead of being completed by 2027. Can’t speak about the other developments you mentioned.
Is the DPI going to be built at this site?