Redesigned West Garage at 1901 Project moves forward

A permit has been issued for the design changes set to be implemented for the West Garage, the first building of The 1901 Project, a $7 billion catalytic mixed-use development located around the United Center. Planned by United Center Joint Venture consisting of the Reindsdorf and Wirtz families, the project will redevelop 55 acres of privately owned land surrounding the iconic arena campus. 

Designed by RIOS, the West Garage will be located just west of the United Center on top of the existing loading dock and bounded by S. Damen Ave to the west. 

The three-story building will expand the United Center’s lower-level loading dock and includes operations spaces on the subgrade level. The ground floor will have retail space facing south and east, with the northern frontages planned for parking that will be converted into retail space in the future. The center of the ground floor will have broadcast space, offices, and the ramp down to the loading dock. The second floor of the structure will have 266 parking spaces.

Originally, the rooftop of the building was planned for a large, landscaped rooftop park. Via a minor change to the Planned Development, the building’s rooftop has been converted into parking, removing the rooftop park and associated greenery planned on the building. The building’s exterior materials have also been revised as part of the redesign with other interior adjustments made as part of the update to the building. 

With the foundation permit, tower crane permit, and full building permit already issued, the issuance of the revision permit for the project will allow general contractor McHugh Construction to implement the design changes. Work has already been underway, and the West Garage is slated to be completed in 2028 alongside the rest of Phase 1, which broke ground in June. 

Once fully complete, the long-term, multi-phased development vision for The 1901 Project will include 25 acres of open space, 9,500 residential units, 1,300 hotel keys, 660,000 square feet of office space, 670,000 square feet of retail space, and entertainment space.