The Great Chicago Fire of historical lore destroyed great swaths of the city in 1871.
But this Chicago Fire, the Windy City’s MLS franchise, is building a brand new neighborhood in the city’s South Loop.
Ground was broken this month on the $750-million, 62-acre site that will house the team’s new 22,000-seat stadium, expected to be completed for the 2028-29 sports season.
But this won’t just be a stadium.
It will be a catalyst for an area that has laid fallow for decades, pinned in on the west by the Chicago River and north by the central business district. It’s called The 78, meaning it will become Chicago’s 78th neighborhood.
The former rail yard, over the years, has been considered for everything from new corporate headquarters (United Airlines and Amazon) to a university research park and a casino, but nothing took off.
Until now.
Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto is investing entirely his own money in the stadium. Meanwhile, Related Midwest, the massive U.S. developer that owns all the land, plans to work hand in hand with the FC while developing the rest of the site for everything from recreation space to residential.
“The main thing missing was an anchor tenant, and our new stadium will serve as just that, helping catalyze economic development and attract new business as well as employment, recreational and housing opportunities,” Dave Baldwin, president of the club’s business operations, said.
The FC Fire, founded in 1997 on the anniversary of its historic namesake, has chosen a purpose-built two-tier stadium, designed by Gensler, the profile of which will fit the city’s historical warehouses, representing “the city’s grit and hard work,” Baldwin added.
“The brick, steel and glass facade will wrap an interior designed to deliver unmatched comfort, style and service, reimagining what it means to not only experience a Fire match in Chicago, but to experience a soccer match in the United States.”
According to a fact sheet, the stadium’s design will feature seating for close proximity to the pitch, a dedicated supporters section with safe standing and “maximum atmosphere,” and state-of-the-art private suites, loge boxes with small-group hospitality options. It will be designed for year-round use with “flexible spaces” for private events and “non-matchday” programming.
Besides natural grass there will be a modern canopy/roof “designed to enhance acoustics and amplify crowd atmosphere.”
The FC says the impact will be $8 billion once the entire 62 acres are built out. A goal is to create an ancillary park and trail system taking advantage of the river site.
The first phase calls for more than 1,400 feet of riverfront public accessibility, bike trails, a new water taxi stop and three acres of sports fields. Housing is slated later with connection to an urban park just south.
Said Baldwin, “This stadium will not only offer our club and fans a best-in-class soccer experience, but also create jobs, drive economic growth and enhance the city’s skyline through a model of civic-minded ownership that puts Chicago and Chicagoans first.”
