Reinsdorf, Wirtz Families Want 9,500 Apartments at United Center

The magnitude of a $7 billion redevelopment plan surrounding Chicago’s United Center arena is coming into focus.

The Reinsdorf and Wirtz families — owners of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and the United Center — are seeking zoning approval to develop nearly 9,500 apartments, more than 1,300 hotel keys and a residential high-rise that would redefine the city’s skyline, Crain’s reported.

The 10-year redevelopment, named the 1901 Project, envisions a mixed-use district that spans 55 acres on Chicago’s Near West Side. The owners see the project as a “catalytic development” that could reshape the area, which currently consists of surface parking lots.

The zoning application calls for 9,463 apartment units, with 1,893 set aside to meet the city’s affordable housing requirements. The number of units is notably higher than the estimate of 5,000 to 6,000 units reported in July. In addition to housing, the plan calls for 25 acres of open space, which will serve as community parks and recreational areas.

“We will continue to meet with the city, local officials, neighbors, and community leaders as planning progresses,” said United Center spokesperson Colleen Quinn.

The proposal also includes 1,309 hotel rooms, with the first phase featuring a mixed-use building that will house 150 to 180 rooms, retail and parking. Phase one will also include an elevated 2.5-acre park that connects to the nearby retail spaces and recreational facilities.

Plans call for a 6,000-seat music hall at the corner of Damen Avenue and Adams Street. Arena officials believe the music venue will fill a critical gap in Chicago’s entertainment scene by providing a mid-sized venue that complements the larger events held inside the United Center.

Though the project is still in its early stages, the owners have emphasized that they are not seeking public financial assistance at this time, though city infrastructure support might be necessary as the project moves forward.

— Andrew Terrell