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The 78
Proposed urban development From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 78 is an undeveloped plot of land in South Loop, Chicago. Its name is from an unrealized 2018 megadevelopment proposal which included several office and residential towers, high-rises, and a riverwalk.[1] Since 2016 Related Midwest is the owner of the site,[2][3][4] stretching from Roosevelt Road south to 16th Street, and Clark Street west to the Chicago River.
Map of The 78 highlighted in red
Although the Chicago City Council approved the megadevelopment in April 2019 (including a tax increment financing agreement),[5] it was not built. The megadevelopment was to include a $1.2 billion research center called the Discovery Partners Institute, which would have been operated by the University of Illinois. That project may be built further to the south in Chicago.[6]
In 2021, it was proposed to put a Rivers Casino in The 78 as part of the Chicago Casino Proposals, but the city selected a site in the River West district near the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street.[7]
In June 2025, the owner of the Chicago Fire FC soccer team proposed to build a soccer stadium on the site.[6]
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Name
The name "The 78" refers to the existing 77 community areas in Chicago and the mega-development was to increase that number by one.[2]
History
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Perspective
The mixed use development notion of 2018 in The 78 was to be located on a 62-acre parcel of land just south of Downtown Chicago and north of Chinatown. The area is bordered by Roosevelt Road to the north, Clark Street to the east, 16th Street to the south, and the South Branch of the Chicago River to the west.[1][8]
Much of the land was created through landfills in the 1920s as part of a $9 million realignment of the South Branch Chicago River.[1][9] The area then became a railyard for trains traveling to or from either the Grand Central station or LaSalle Street station.[10]
The railyard was eventually demolished in the 1970s, forming a 62-acre vacant lot. The former railyard remained in limbo for decades. In 2001, Tony Rezko bought the entire land for mixed-use development. His plan did not come to fruition and he eventually sold the land in 2005.[11]
Many plans have been proposed or discussed for this site; none have been built as of June 2025.[6] Related Midwest acquired the land in 2016.[3]
Proposed new White Sox stadium
In 2024, it was reported that the Chicago White Sox and its owner Jerry Reinsdorf were in discussions with Related Midwest to potentially build a new stadium on the site to replace Rate Field following the end of the team's lease in 2029.[12] In addition to the stadium, the plan calls for retail, offices, and housing.[13][14][15][16]
Between August and September 2024, the White Sox and developer Related Midwest built a temporary field on the site.[17][18][19][20]
Proposed new Chicago Fire stadium
The owner of the Chicago Fire FC soccer team Joe Mansueto proposes to build a stadium exclusively for soccer games on a 9-acre site in The 78.[6] Mansueto plans to use private funds. The City of Chicago would be responsible for site preparation, as the area lacks basic utilities (water, sewer, electric) at present. Some unused railroad tracks need to be removed. His aim is to open the team’s 2028 season in its own stadium.[6]
Earlier, the owner and developer presented the idea of a joint stadium. The Chicago Fire FC, which currently plays at Soldier Field, would construct a new stadium there along with the White Sox. Joe Mansueto's plans to privately finance a new stadium makes their path much clearer than that of the Bears and White Sox if they choose to develop in this area just south of the Loop, given the aforementioned two are seeking public funding.[21][22]
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References
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