Renderings For Potential White Sox Stadium In South Loop Revealed

Renderings have been released of a potential new White Sox stadium in the South Loop. 

The Chicago Sun-Times was the first to report that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was considering moving the team’s stadium once their current lease expires in 2029. According to the report the team is now in “serious talks” about building a new stadium in the South Loop. The location would be on land at Clark Streek and Roosevelt Road known as “The 78”. The proposed property includes 62 acres of undeveloped land stretching south to 16th Street.

The Illinois Sports Authority, which owns Guaranteed Rate Field is reportedly not currently involved in these discussions. 

The stadium renderings show a state-of-the-art stadium along the Chicago River, with home plate in the southwest corner, with views behind the plate facing the Chicago skyline. A large jumbotron overlooks a large plaza to the north. 

Proposed White Sox new stadium renderings leaked. Location closer to downtown, river and Soldier field. pic.twitter.com/WVDw5UgJ6C

— Stadium Saves (@StadiumSaves) January 19, 2024

Renderings also show a public plaza along the Chicago River, and newly developed towers surrounding the ballpark. It is unclear if they are for residential or commercial use or a mix of both. If done correctly the White Sox have the chance to have one of the most breathtaking locations in the MLB. 

Guaranteed Rate Field is currently surrounded by 70 acres of parking lots. The lack of development surrounding the ballpark is one of the reasons that Reinsdorf is looking for a new stadium location 

The 78 is owned by Related Midwest, which describes itself as a premier developer and manager of luxury residences in Chicago and the Midwest. There are plans to build a large academic building, the Discovery Partners Institute, which will be the first tenet at The 78. The Dicovery Parters Insititute is included in the stadium renderings. 

The project for the new academic center is being overseen by the Illinois Captial Development Board. The Discovery Partners Institute would be built on a one-acre parcel on the south end of The 78. They are set to break ground on the project sometime in 2024. 

However, outside of The Discovery Partners Insititute mega development on the site has hit a lull. The White Sox would provide a much-needed boost for their efforts to find additional funding and tenets, with their stadium serving as the centerpiece of The 78. 

The 78 was on the shortlist to land a $1.74 billion casino project, but their efforts fell short when former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave the Bally’s Corporation the casino license to build the casino resort on the site of the Tribune Publishing Center.