Case Study: Related Midwest shapes Chicago’s next neighborhood with Gensler

Related Midwest shapes The 78's 12 million-square-foot neighborhood with Gensler

The customer, Related Midwest, faced the challenge of transforming underutilized riverfront land into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that would foster year-round activity for Chicago. Their vision required a design that would reenergize the waterfront while integrating a new stadium as a dynamic anchor, all while preserving public access. To address this, they engaged the vendor Gensler for its expertise in cities & urban design, mixed-use & retail centers, and sports.

Gensler's solution was the master plan for The 78, a 62-acre development featuring retail, offices, housing, and 7 acres of public open space, all anchored by a 22,000-seat stadium. The design prioritized flexible public venues and a new half-mile riverwalk to connect downtown to Chinatown. The impact was the creation of a new, vibrant neighborhood that activates the waterfront, fosters social interaction, and supports long-term economic and cultural vitality for Chicago, establishing a blueprint for future urban districts.

Related Midwest