CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[dreamy-developer]

I wonder if the new red line station will still be in play. With the smaller footprint that an MLS stadium will have compared to an NFL stadium, I imagine that the stadium will fit without having to remove/move the newly built Wells/Wentworth connector.

That is a wet dream if they were able to integrate a red line stop literally right next to or inside / connect to the stadium like Wrigley.

[Zapatan]

Stadium design is not the best but great news!

[Jstange059]

The rendering is definitely not more than just a basic conceptual sketch, I wouldn’t expect this much to be an indication of what the final design will look like

[MorganChi]

Just recently looked up to see where this stadium will stand with the rest of MLS stadiums . This would be considered the 3rd biggest soccer stadium in the league

[Randomguy34]

^ More like tied for 8th, out of 22 soccer-specific stadiums: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...occer_stadiums

The design reminds me of Energizer Park for St. Louis, except we didn't fully embrace a minimalist philosophy. Another key difference is St. Lous' pitch is sunken, which creates a really amazing atmosphere when the stadium is packed. If the sketch is the final design for Chicago, easily the most boring soccer stadium I've encountered

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

The design reminds me of Energizer Park for St. Louis, except we didn't fully embrace a minimalist philosophy. Another key difference is St. Lous' pitch is sunken, which creates a really amazing atmosphere when the stadium is packed. If the sketch is the final design for Chicago, easily the most boring soccer stadium I've encountered

I was just in Columbus and stayed across the street from their new stadium, which looks pretty much the same as Energizer Park. Almost all the new MLS stadiums are rectangles, with a open-air field, and a roof hanging over the crowd on each side.

This one will be unique by having the upper seating area level with Roosevelt Road and being right on the river with water taxi and public transit access.

[r18tdi]

Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026. Sounds like they're leaving the Metra tracks alone then?

[Steely Dan]

Most people seem to dislike the design for the stadium

I dont really understand it; I think the design looks great within the context of the built-out development around it.

I still wish the Sox could go here cuz 81 games is WAY more meaningful than 17, but that ain't happening as long as JR is still around. So I guess this is it.

A damn shame sox and fire ownership can't be swapped.

[chi_raven]

I think the stadium design is fine. I'm just glad to see something finally committed to this space and get the ball rolling.

I do hope we can see an agreement between the Fire and Stars to let the Stars play in the new stadium as well. I know the seasons take place at basically the same time, so you would have to coordinate schedules, but it would double the amount of events there and I think it would benefit everyone. It would likely help the Fire with revenue from the Stars games, help the Stars with more attendance and be more enjoyable for the fans.

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Most people seem to dislike the design for the stadium

I dont really understand it; I think the design looks great within the context of the built-out development around it.

I still wish the Sox could go here cuz 81 games is WAY more meaningful than 17, but that ain't happening as long as JR is still around. So I guess this is it.

A damn shame sox and fire ownership can't be swapped.

Agreed, I think a new Sox Park in the 78 would be amazing, and this is coming from a Cubs fan

I believe the site is large enough to incorporate both stadiums though, if the Sox are still interested and Reinsdorf stops being such a cheap ass and invests in his own stadium. Since the existing plan for The 78 is essentially dead, we have essentially a clean slate to work with.

The Fire can take the north end of the site, which is somewhat narrower and would better fit the smaller footprint of their stadium, with the Sox closer to 16th St. The newly built Wells/Wentworth connector would need to be removed and placed closer to the river to fit the new Sox Park, and the Metra tracks might have to remain in order to leave enough room as well. Either that, or tunnel them underground/built the stadium over the repositioned tracks, thus allowing street frontage on Clark. There will still be plenty of room for residential and commercial infill as well.

Hopefully Mansueto calling dibs will light a fire under the Sox organization's collective ass and get them to make a move and stop waiting around for handouts. Hopefully...

Originally Posted by chi_raven

I do hope we can see an agreement between the Fire and Stars to let the Stars play in the new stadium as well. I know the seasons take place at basically the same time, so you would have to coordinate schedules, but it would double the amount of events there and I think it would benefit everyone. It would likely help the Fire with revenue from the Stars games, help the Stars with more attendance and be more enjoyable for the fans.

Definitely agree. I don't see why it wouldn't be something both organizations discuss. Sorry Bridgeview, you might lose your last tenants at SeatGeek

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I still wish the Sox could go here cuz 81 games is WAY more meaningful than 17, but that ain't happening as long as JR is still around. So I guess this is it.

I think it will be pretty well-utilized because of it's unique size (roughly half the size of The Cell/Wrigley) and location. I imagine the Chicago Stars, our women's soccer team, would want to play here. I could also see the Chicago Hounds rugby team wanting to play here if they still exist in a few years.

The teams currently in SeatGeek Stadium that want to grow their fan-bases are prime opportunities.

[ithakas]

I'd strongly prefer the rest of The 78 get filled in with a neighborhood/residential use rather than having two stadiums plopped in side-by-side.

Just develop the parking lots north of Comiskey...

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by ithakas

I'd strongly prefer the rest of The 78 get filled in with a neighborhood/residential use rather than having two stadiums plopped in side-by-side.

Just develop the parking lots north of Comiskey...

In 15 years, I can imagine many scenarios where the Sox may go. To be near 35th and Shields is far down the list. They have decided that the neighborhood is not a draw and lacks a presence.

I'm probably on an island with the idea, but I think Soldier Field could be reconfigured to be a very unique and cool baseball stadium that would be half the cost of building a new stadium. Seeing home runs being lifted into the west side colonnades and serving as the WS "green wall" would be a cool sight.

The biggest bugaboo about that is that it would pose no potential for a baseball village nearby, which seems to be what most MLB teams covet today.

[left of center]

Cool idea for sure, but yeah the Sox would then have the same problem with Soldier that the Bears currently do. They want to own the stadium, and the land surrounding the stadium. This is the direction pro sports ownership is moving towards, because then you can monetize the stadium surroundings and make it a money maker all year round instead of just during game days that only occur for a small portion of the year. Look at what the Ricketts did with Wrigley, and Wirtz/Reinsdorf are doing with the UC, and what countless other teams outside Chicago have done or are in the process of doing.

Unfortunately Soldier Field is just not going to be an attractive location for a major league team in the modern era given the fact that the stadium is owned by the city and the team cannot develop any of the land surrounding the stadium due to the Chicago Park District.

[Chi-Sky21]

Jerry does want to OWN the stadium but never WILL. If he wanted to really develop the area he would have but he instead bought the land around the united center. He is going to sell the team. They are fine where they are. As a Sox fan i have NO PROBLEM with the current setup that are deal breakers. My problem is the spending ON THE TEAM. They have a sweetheart deal on the southside. Get some Ishbia ownership and let them cook with the farm system being built. The 78 is much better suited for a smaller stadium like the Fire, and it will probably be a killer concert venue also. Just got to make sure it gets a red line stop.

[iguy]

Don’t get me wrong, I want as unique and interesting stadium design as possible, but that is the least compelling thing about this project. At a time when Chicago is mightily struggling to get large developments off the ground, fretting over designs ain’t it.

[OhioGuy]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Jerry does want to OWN the stadium but never WILL. If he wanted to really develop the area he would have but he instead bought the land around the united center. He is going to sell the team. They are fine where they are. As a Sox fan i have NO PROBLEM with the current setup that are deal breakers. My problem is the spending ON THE TEAM. They have a sweetheart deal on the southside. Get some Ishbia ownership and let them cook with the farm system being built. The 78 is much better suited for a smaller stadium like the Fire, and it will probably be a killer concert venue also. Just got to make sure it gets a red line stop.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf reaches agreement with Justin Ishbia for future controlling stake

[lakeshoredrive]

I don’t think the stadium design is final. I’m sure an updated design in a color rendering will be released soon

[WestTowner]

Originally Posted by OhioGuy

Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf reaches agreement with Justin Ishbia for future controlling stake

Have a friend that works with the White Sox. He said it no coincidence this news came out after the Fire announcement. Ishbia has the money to make a Sox stadium happen. The team will have to move quick before the Fire plans get finalized.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by WestTowner

Have a friend that works with the White Sox. He said it no coincidence this news came out after the Fire announcement. Ishbia has the money to make a Sox stadium happen. The team will have to move quick before the Fire plans get finalized.

Hopefully they stay in Chicago.