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United Center ‘1901 Project’ receives city approval

February 19, 2025

Tuesday marked a significant step toward turning the United Center’s ‘1901 Project’ into a reality.

The massive $7 billion development project received a stamp of approval from Chicago’s city council’s zoning committee. With the approval, the project could begin its 15-year journey as soon as this summer.

The Wirtz and Reinsdorf families, who own the property, have said it would be the largest-ever private investment on Chicago’s West Side, and while the project will be privately funded, they will request public funds from the city for any public improvements such as adding a CTA train stop.

The project is expected to add 9,463 residential units, 1,309 hotel rooms, a music hall and other commercial spaces, making use of the land currently used for parking lots around the arena.

Michael Reinsdorf, president and CEO of the Chicago Bulls, had previously said the United Center’s parking is about 75% full on a good day, and occupancy on an average day is about 50%. Terry Savarise, CEO of the United Center, has also said the number of existing parking lot spaces will be replaced through the creation of new parking structures.

Additionally, twenty percent of the apartments will be affordable housing, according to the Wirtz and Reinsdorf families.

Phase 1 of the ‘1901 Project’ is expected to begin this summer, centered around the creation of a 6,000-seat music hall as well as a public plaza, boutique hotel and parking structure with a rooftop park. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 2028.

Officials estimate that the entire project will create 32,000 construction jobs, and those behind the 1901 Project have said the completion of the development is expected through six phases total and would be fully complete by 2040.