Renderings emerge for potential White Sox stadium at The 78

Renderings have surfaced for a potential new White Sox stadium at The 78 site. Recent reports have brought to light the fact that the White Sox are negotiating with developer Related Midwest about the possibility of building a new stadium on the 62-acre South Loop property.

Originally approved as a multi-tower, mixed-use megadevelopment in 2020, the 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, with a large video screen overlooking a large plaza to the north. 

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 building can be seen in the largest scale overall rendering 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. While the future of the team’s home is unclear, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns and financed Guaranteed Rate Field, has reportedly not been involved in the discussions.

The megadevelopment by Related Midwest has stalled with nothing moving forward on the site as of yet. The Discovery Partners Institute would be the first tenant of the large parcel, with their building set to break ground this year. As the developer continues its search for funding and users, landing the White Sox would be a shot in the arm for moving the development forward. Efforts to develop the city’s first casino on the property fell through when former Mayor Lightfoot chose Bally’s proposal at the former Tribune site.