Community-first. That is the heartbeat behind Chicago’s next great neighborhood.

Yesterday, the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families officially broke ground on the historic $7 billion 1901 Project marking the start of the largest private investment ever on Chicago's West Side. The Cullen Construction Management team is deeply honored to be part of the team supporting a monumental vision that puts local residents, parks, and shared spaces at the center of the community first plan.

Over the next 14 years, this massive mega project will transform 55 acres of asphalt parking lots around the United Center into a thriving, inclusive 25-acre green ecosystem and mixed-use neighborhood.

What Phase 1 Includes

This initial $500 million investment, slated for completion in 2028, will the district's entertainment, hospitality, and public gathering infrastructure.

Phase 1 elements include:

• A new 6,000-seat music hall designed to host concerts, arts programming, and cultural events.

• A hotel integrated into the development.

• New structured parking facilities that will replace portions of the existing surface parking lots.

• Retail and commercial spaces incorporated into the podium levels of the parking structures.

• Significant public open space, including elevated park areas and pedestrian-oriented gathering spaces.

• Streetscape, pedestrian, bicycle, and transportation improvements intended to enhance connectivity throughout the district.

The music venue, hotel, parking structures, and public open spaces will be located primarily on the west side of the United Center campus. The development is designed to transform large surface parking lots into an active mixed-use environment that supports year-round activity.

A Long-Term Vision for the West Side

The 1901 Project is envisioned as a multi-phased development that will unfold over many years. Future phases are expected to include residential buildings, additional hospitality offerings, commercial space, retail, and expanded public parks.

Project leaders have stated that the development's goals include creating economic opportunity, expanding public gathering spaces, improving neighborhood connectivity, and bringing new investment to Chicago's West Side.

The master plan also emphasizes walkability, transit access, open space, and community engagement as central components of the redevelopment effort.

Economic Impact

Project representatives estimate that the overall development will generate 32,000 construction and permanent jobs over the life of the project. The development team has also committed to workforce development initiatives and participation goals for minority- and women-owned businesses throughout construction.

Phase 1 alone is expected to create approximately 2,000 construction jobs as work begins on the initial entertainment, hospitality, and infrastructure components.

Looking Ahead

With groundbreaking now complete, construction can officially begin on the first buildings and public spaces that will establish the foundation for the broader vision. While the full buildout will occur over multiple phases, Phase 1 marks the beginning of one of the most significant private development investments currently underway in Chicago.

As construction progresses, the project will continue to reshape the area surrounding the United Center from a largely event-focused campus into a mixed-use neighborhood intended to serve residents, visitors, businesses, and the broader West Side community.

As part of the Owner's Representative team, our mission is safeguarding our client's vision and benefit to the West Side community.

We are thrilled to be part of the team celebrating this massive milestone.

The future of the West Side starts today, and we are ready to build it!

Learn more here: https://www.the1901projectchicago.com/

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