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Dive Brief:
- The Windy City’s Major League Soccer franchise has a new home field. The Chicago Fire FC started the construction of its upcoming $750 million stadium on March 3.
- Chicago-area contractors Pepper Construction, GMA Construction Group and All Construction Group will build the site, according to a groundbreaking announcement from the Fire.
- Billionaire Joe Mansueto, founder of the investment research firm Morningstar and owner of the team, will privately finance the 22,000-seat stadium, designed as the centerpiece of Phase 1 of The 78, the Midwest-related mixed-use development and neighborhood along the Chicago River that will act as the city’s 78th Ward.
Diving knowledge:
Rob Martinelli, senior vice president of Pepper Construction, told Construction Dive via email that the company is working with its trade partners, unions and industry associations to get the job done.
“Having built in the city for nearly a century, we have earned a reputation as a great contractor to work with and look forward to working with a strong and inclusive workforce to build the stadium,” Martinelli said.
The team originally unveiled plans for the arena last year, listing them construction cost of 650 million dollars. That figure was an early estimate that has been modified as plans progressed, a Chicago Fire FC spokesperson told Construction Dive.
The franchise stadium, designed by architecture firm Gensler, will feature 360-degree viewing and a grass playing field, according to the soccer club. The riverfront site will also integrate activated outdoor spaces, public plazas and both commercial and residential developments within The 78. When not hosting football matches, the stadium will host concerts and other large-scale events.
The design is also inspired by the “brick and steel industrial heritage” according to Gensler. It will feature an exposed steel canopy and a purpose-built support section, alongside a new water taxi stop along the river for both game days and workdays.
The new home of Chicago Fire FC is an integral part of The 78, which will connect with various Chicago neighborhoods in the area, including the South Loop, Chinatown, Bronzeville, Bridgeport, UIC/Little Italy and Pilsen, according to the development’s website. It will be accessible by multiple modes of transit, including river, road, rail and trail systems.
The facility builds on previous investments in the city by the football club. The fire opened the Endeavor Health Performance Center, a $100 million state-of-the-art training facility by 2025, according to the announcement. The team also moved its business operations downtown to the Wrigley Building, about two miles from the South Loop neighborhood.
The club hopes the stadium will open in time for the 2028 season.
