Related Midwest releases further renderings of White Sox stadium at The 78

Developer Related Midwest has shared further renderings of the potential new White Sox stadium at The 78 site. Urbanize recently shared a first look at renderings of the potential stadium as Related Midwest engages in negotiations with the White Sox about the possibility of them building a new stadium on the 62-acre South Loop property.

The additional new conceptual renderings show the proposed stadium structure anchoring the high-rise district. With home plate at the southwest corner, the stadium wraps around the field primarily on the west and south sides, offering expansive views of downtown beyond including the Sears Tower. A new public plaza will be located to the north of the stadium, with a large video screen facing the terraced park. 

The renderings show the Wells-Wentworth Connector reconfigured to bend around the stadium, with a new public plaza along the Chicago River. A newly configured series of towers rise around the stadium, likely a mix of office and residential uses. The Discovery Partners Institute will be integrated into the new configuration at the south end of the site.

Earlier in 2023, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the White Sox, was considering a move from Guaranteed Rate Field as their lease ends after the 2029 season. Further reporting since our last article indicates that Related Midwest and the White Sox have had meetings with Mayor Johnson and state representatives regarding the future of this proposal and potential public funding. Alderman Pat Dowell, whose ward includes The 78, has put out a statement indicating a positive outlook on the project but withholding final judgment until more details come to light. 

As the White Sox look to move closer to downtown, the future of Guaranteed Rate Field and the sea of parking lots around it are in question. While they do not own the land at 35th & Shields, Related Midwest has a long history of working in communities and has put together conceptual ideas for the property. Any redevelopment of the area would be subject to a robust community process to determine the best use for the land.