Urbanize Wrapped: Chicago’s Most Anticipated Projects in 2024

After reflecting on 2023 with Urbanize Chicago’s Top Ten Articles of 2023, it’s time to look forward to some of the most anticipated developments in 2024. Here are some of the biggest projects we're looking forward to seeing progress on in 2024:

Bally’s Casino

With Bally’s temporary facility up and running at Medinah Temple, Bally’s Corporation can turn their attention towards the site of their permanent facility planned at 777 W. Chicago. With approval secured from the Illinois Gaming Board for their permanent license, Bally’s is working towards beginning construction in 2024 after they take control of the site this summer. With Gensler leading the redesign, foundation permits for the casino have already been filed.

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Lincoln Yards

Chicago developer Sterling Bay missed their goal of breaking ground on the next phase of Lincoln Yards in 2023. While site plan approval was secured and permits are pending for the next two buildings, Sterling Bay has struggled to piece together financing for Lincoln Yards, putting the future of the megadevelopment in question. In 2024 we’ll be watching to see if Sterling Bay can secure a new financing structure to fund the required infrastructure work and development overall to allow for more buildings to start on the property.

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Halsted Pointe

While this development also missed their goal of breaking ground in 2023, developer Onni Group received approval for the redesign to the first phase in June 2023 and have permits in the works to break ground sometime in 2024. Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the first phase will be a 46-story, 497-foot-tall tower with 460 apartments, 200 parking spaces, and 18,900 square feet of retail.

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1000M

After construction was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, developers of 1000M switched the tower from 421 condos to 738 rentals and secured new financing at the end of 2021. With construction back in full swing through 2022 and 2023, the tower is set to welcome residents this summer 2024.

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Thompson Center

After the saga of trying to sell the Thompson Center, the purchase by The Prime Group and Capri Investment Group means the building will be saved from the wrecking ball. With Google on board to occupy the building after its redevelopment, work is expected to begin in 2024 on the initial demolition of the facade and interiors, with the late Helmut Jahn’s firm Jahn/ leading the redesign.

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400 Lake Shore Drive

Over 15 years after the demise of the Chicago Spire proposal, construction is finally underway on a new skyscraper development at 400 Lake Shore Drive. Led by Related Midwest, the SOM-designed skyscraper will reach 875 feet tall with 635 rental units inside. Crews will begin below-grade work, including caissons, sheeting, and the cofferdam in 2024 for the northern tower, with construction set to finish in Q3 2027. The southern tower will begin sometime following the first, set to be either condos or rentals based on market conditions.

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LaSalle Street Reimagined

After the Lightfoot Administration launched and judged proposals for the redevelopment of office properties on LaSalle Street, newly elected Mayor Brandon Johnson has been quiet on the future of city funding lined up for these proposals via the city’s TIF coffers downtown. In 2024, we’re looking to see if the new budget that pulls money out of TIF districts means the end of city funding for these series of proposals or if Mayor Johnson will work with DPD and DOH to push them forward. 

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Redefine the Drive

IDOT and CDOT showed off renderings of the potential future conditions of an expanded North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Grand Ave and Hollywood Ave in 2023. 2024 will see the announcement of the decision of their preferred design plan for the redevelopment. Funding for the implementation of the project is still in question.