The 1901 Project Master Plan Aerial View Designed by RIOS (Rendering by Studio Ladder)
The 1901 Project
Reimagining the United Center Campus to Reconnect Chicago's West Side
The future vision for the United Center is an ambitious and energizing community-first mixed-use project designed by RIOS in collaboration with the United Center Joint Venture group. Called The 1901 Project, the project encompasses more than 13 million sq. ft. that will restitch the surrounding neighborhoods and provide a world-class urban core for Chicago’s West Side—representing a visionary approach to urban planning poised to become a model for metropolises worldwide.
Project Overview (Rendering by Proloog and RIOS)
About the United Center
The United Center is a premier 960,000 sq. ft. multi-use entertainment facility that has attracted over 70 million fans since its opening in 1994. Home to the six-time World Champion Chicago Bulls and the six-time Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center hosts over 200 events annually, ranking as the second busiest arena in the United States and the third busiest in the world.
“Our goal with The 1901 Project master plan is to provide an urban canvas, rich with public spaces and diverse program, for the legacy of the existing neighborhood to write its own new chapter.”
— Richard Peterson, Senior Project Director, Architect, RIOS
The Neighborhood Today (Photo by Bill Smith)
The Neighborhood Tomorrow (Rendering by Studio Ladder)
“Our vision aims to create a vibrant, human-centered neighborhood for everyone, celebrating Chicago's rich heritage of public spaces and ambitious infrastructure.”
— Paul Westwood, Design Director, RIOS
North Plaza (Rendering by Proloog)
The 1901 Master Plan
The 1901 Project, a long-term, multi-phased development, is part of the United Center owners’ transformative $7 billion private investment on Chicago’s West Side. This mixed-use development will feature housing, commercial office space, a hotel, retail, and entertainment, anchored by lively public open space. The project aspires to be an emblem of urban charisma and cultural richness, captivating sports fans and serving as a community resource. With its diverse public spaces, entertainment options, and mixed-use programming, the neighborhood will be activated year-round as a destination to live, work, and play.
The south main plaza space at The 1901 Project, featuring a flexible public lawn, active ground-floor retail, and views toward the Music Hall. Design by RIOS (Rendering/Brick).
“The 1901 Project Master Plan connects local heritage with a global perspective by creating a neighborhood founded on notions of what’s authentically Chicago.”
— Sebastian Salvadó, Creative Director and Partner, RIOS
A pedestrian-oriented retail corridor at The 1901 Project that links entertainment, public space, and neighborhood amenities. Design by RIOS (Rendering/Brick).
The south main plaza space at The 1901 Project in winter, with a seasonal ice rink positioned between the Music Hall and the United Center. Design by RIOS (Rendering/Brick).
West park at The 1901 Project, provides recreational courts, open space, and year-round community programming adjacent to the Music Hall. Design by RIOS (Rendering/Brick).
Project Collaborators
Client: United Center Joint Venture
Master Planner: RIOS
Phase I Architect: RIOS
Landscape Architect: Field Operations
Landscape AOR: Site Design
Urban Designer: RIOS
Music Hall Architect & Interior Architect: RIOS
Theater Consultant: Theatre Projects
Acoustic Consultant: Kirkegaard
MEPT, Sustainability: Me Engineers
Structural Engineer: MKA
Façade & Waterproofing: Thornton Tomasetti
Vertical Trans & Façade Access and Maintenance: Lerch Bates
Civil Engineer: HBK
Code Consultant: Forza
Environmental Analysis: RWDI
Parking: Desman
Transportation Engineer: Sam Schwartz
The 1901 Project in the News
The Architect’s Newspaper: RIOS and Field Operations to lead $7 billion mixed use development to transform Chicago’s West Side surrounding the United Center
Archinect: RIOS, Field Operations behind proposed $7B redevelopment of Chicago’s United Center area
Chicago Sun-Times: United Center owners planning massive $7 billion mixed-use campus around the arena
Crain’s Chicago Business: United Center owners plan $7 billion Near West Side campus
Chicago Tribune: Reinsdorf and Wirtz families unveil $7 billion proposal to remake Near West Side around United Center
WGN: United Center owners planning major $7 billion renovation project around arena
Block Club Chicago: United Center Owners Planning $7 Billion Campus Around Arena With Housing, Music Hall And More
The Real Deal: Wirtz, Reinsdorf families plan $7B campus around United Center
Bis Now: Chicago’s United Center Owners Propose $7B Mixed-Use Campus Around Arena
WBEZ Chicago: United Center owners planning massive $7 billion mixed-use campus around the arena
The Daily Herald: United Center owners planning massive $7 billion mixed-use campus around the arena
Fox 32: United Center owners unveil private investment in Chicago’s Near West Side
ABC 7 Eyewitness News: United Center owners’ $7B investment pitch includes hotels, residential building for Near West Side
Sports Business Journal: Michael Reinsdorf, Danny Wirtz proposing $7B redevelopment around United Center
Chicago Business Journal: Chicago sports executives propose $7 billion mega project around United Center
AP News: Bulls, Blackhawks owners unveil $7 billion plan to transform area around United Center
Hockey Feed: Report: Blackhawks making huge changes starting in 2025
Axios Chicago: Renderings: New project looks to transform United Center, West Side
CBS News: United Center execs unveil 1901 Project for nearby redevelopment
Bleacher Report: Bulls Post Photos, Renderings of Planned Development Around United Center
Time Out: The United Center could soon feature a giant mixed-use campus, complete with a park and music hall
Chicago Tribune: Editorial: United Center development is good news for the West Side. But housing is what is needed most
Bloomberg: Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks Owners Make $7 Billion Real Estate Bet
CoStar News: Bulls, Blackhawks Owners Plan $7 Billion Development Around Chicago’s United Center
Clutch Points: Bulls, Blackhawks teaming up for $7 billion United Center project
Chicago Star Media: United Center owners unveil proposal for $7 billion campus development