CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[MorganChi]

Hey was on instagram and saw rendering of a tower next to the Chicago fire stadium , idk if it’s proposed or a student project. Also my job is across the river from 78 , I work at Amtrak. I’ve noticed yesterday some work there. I also notice some of the river wall was taken down. Can take more pics once I’m back in town.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUZXqqLg...pibG05dDN2bTd6

[r18tdi]

Thanks for posting. I'm guessing its a student project.

[Jstange059]

https://bsky.app/profile/acannon.bsk.../3mejis722ek2u

Apparently, the white socks are still interested in building their stadium in the 78 site, next to the future soccer stadium. I myself wouldn’t want the 78 to be that much of a stadium district, and would prefer them to build one in the Bronzeville Lakefront/Marshaling yards site or in the parking lots surrounding their existing stadium

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

https://bsky.app/profile/acannon.bsk.../3mejis722ek2u

Apparently, the white socks are still interested in building their stadium in the 78 site, next to the future soccer stadium. I myself wouldn’t want the 78 to be that much of a stadium district, and would prefer them to build one in the Bronzeville Lakefront/Marshaling yards site or in the parking lots surrounding their existing stadium

The state would own the stadium? Am I reading that correctly?

[k1052]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

The state would own the stadium? Am I reading that correctly?

Since the team would probably be kicking in only like 1/3rd of the cost it sounds right.

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

https://bsky.app/profile/acannon.bsk.../3mejis722ek2u

Apparently, the white socks are still interested in building their stadium in the 78 site, next to the future soccer stadium. I myself wouldn’t want the 78 to be that much of a stadium district, and would prefer them to build one in the Bronzeville Lakefront/Marshaling yards site or in the parking lots surrounding their existing stadium

Setting aside the relative desirability of other locations for a stadium, is there any reason 78 can't work as an event space? I somewhat soured on the site when the tracks stayed put. Being across from rail yards to the west and a sub-optimal track/Clark configuration to the east doesn't make it the most appealing area on the river. There could be something to be said for optimizing the site for events rather than trying to blend in a substantial amount of residential. Other forms of entertainment could also easily co-exist. And there are no shortage of alternative areas for large-scale residential development.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by VKChaz

Setting aside the relative desirability of other locations for a stadium, is there any reason 78 can't work as an event space? I somewhat soured on the site when the tracks stayed put. Being across from rail yards to the west and a sub-optimal track/Clark configuration to the east doesn't make it the most appealing area on the river. There could be something to be said for optimizing the site for events rather than trying to blend in a substantial amount of residential. Other forms of entertainment could also easily co-exist. And there are no shortage of alternative areas for large-scale residential development.

If they are to do this, I would really hope for them to invest in the formerly proposed CTA Red Line Station and a potential additional Metra station, in order to properly handle the gameday crowds. I guess additionally, if they are constructing the stadiums together, they can share the same parking garages and other supporting infrastructure, reducing the infrastructural burden required for each stadium. I guess thinking about it further, I'm starting to warm up to the idea of having 2 stadiums on the site. Just please construct a 15th street (or equivalent) station to support the stadiums!

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

If they are to do this, I would really hope for them to invest in the formerly proposed CTA Red Line Station and a potential additional Metra station, in order to properly handle the gameday crowds. I guess additionally, if they are constructing the stadiums together, they can share the same parking garages and other supporting infrastructure, reducing the infrastructural burden required for each stadium. I guess thinking about it further, I'm starting to warm up to the idea of having 2 stadiums on the site. Just please construct a 15th street (or equivalent) station to support the stadiums!

Transportation should be a part (and seems if this RLE happens that the idea should be to actually make use of the red line). Though ideally, for an optimal overall site plan, both stadiums would be accounted for from the beginning rather than designing for one and then adding a second

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

If they are to do this, I would really hope for them to invest in the formerly proposed CTA Red Line Station and a potential additional Metra station, in order to properly handle the gameday crowds. I guess additionally, if they are constructing the stadiums together, they can share the same parking garages and other supporting infrastructure, reducing the infrastructural burden required for each stadium. I guess thinking about it further, I'm starting to warm up to the idea of having 2 stadiums on the site. Just please construct a 15th street (or equivalent) station to support the stadiums!

I'm not holding my breath, but the best outcome of this would be to speed up/prioritize the connection between union station and metra electric. Build a station on that connection and it could be really brilliant.

[BVictor1]

Saw this today. I don't know what it was, but I saw this...

02.20.26

[lakeshoredrive]

It looks like Chicago Fire will have a breaking ground ceremony next week

[twister244]

Originally Posted by lakeshoredrive

It looks like Chicago Fire will have a breaking ground ceremony next week

Wow! That sounds fucking amazing.

It speaks volumes that we are on the cusp of a stadium groundbreaking for our soccer team while the Bears still don't even have a viable stadium plan in place yet......

Kudos to the team behind this, and it should be highlighted to highlight how ridiculous the Bears continue to be.

[left of center]

Found this:

https://webapps1.chicago.gov/buildin...?apkey=3439951

Chicago Fire groundbreaking tent/one day event: 3/3/2026

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by left of center

Found this:

https://webapps1.chicago.gov/buildin...?apkey=3439951

Chicago Fire groundbreaking tent/one day event: 3/3/2026

Oh shit, that’s in one week.

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by left of center

Found this:

https://webapps1.chicago.gov/buildin...?apkey=3439951

Chicago Fire groundbreaking tent/one day event: 3/3/2026

Tent being erected now.
02.25.26

[Zapatan]

Awesome news about Chicago Fire Stadium, and sorry if this is a dumb question but would the stadium covering so much of the site prevent sizable skyscrapers from being built next to it? Or was this always part of the plan.

I picture 7-900 foot buildings not being allowed next to a stadium for some reason.

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Awesome news about Chicago Fire Stadium, and sorry if this is a dumb question but would the stadium covering so much of the site prevent sizable skyscrapers from being built next to it? Or was this always part of the plan.

I picture 7-900 foot buildings not being allowed next to a stadium for some reason.

Skyscrapers next to the stadium are definitely part of the greater master plan for the site. Whether they will materialize will likely depend on market forces.



Source: https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/p...ire-stadium-78



Source: https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/p...ire-stadium-78

[ardecila]

IIRC the stadium build will include a 2-level garage just to the north, this garage will have a rooftop plaza at the level of Roosevelt Road but will have caissons/deep foundations to support 1-2 towers in the future.

In the meantime they want to fill the plaza with a shipping container village selling snacks, merch, etc.

[UrbanDweller98]

I hope those parking lots are developed in the next decade, my biggest fear is that this stadium turns what should’ve been a dense residential high rise neighborhood into a Rate Field-esque parking lot sea right outside of downtown

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by UrbanDweller98

I hope those parking lots are developed in the next decade, my biggest fear is that this stadium turns what should’ve been a dense residential high rise neighborhood into a Rate Field-esque parking lot sea right outside of downtown

Not an unreasonable concern, but I think very apples-to-oranges, primarily because of location, the 78 essentially being an extension of downtown. This area will be developed, just by virtue of location, location, location.