The City of Chicago recently announced design concepts for renovations to Soldier Field, the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
The proposal includes three options: converting the venue to a domed stadium, keeping the facility open-air but ready to accommodate a dome, and making the historic structure a multipurpose venue tailored for soccer. The Bears, who do not own Soldier Field, have declared their intent to purchase a large suburban tract to build a new stadium.
The city’s new renovation proposal includes more capacity and amenity upgrades:
- Expanded seating from 61,500 seats up to 70,000 seats including additional fan activation areas.
- Increased number of traditional suites from 133 to 140.
- Six new major club and experiential areas, none of which currently exist in Soldier Field.
- Quadrupled food and beverage square footage from 50,000 sf to 200,000 sf.
- Addition of as many as 20 secondary club and activation areas.
- Expanded opportunity for major sponsorships and naming rights.
- Creation of more flexible event space and multi-purpose venues including up to four venues with capacity ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 or more.
The dome plan would cost about $2 billion and would only be undertaken if the Bears remain in the city. The low-end proposal without the Bears would cost roughly $1 billion. Each of the city’s options would retain much of the original structure including the historic colonnade. Soldier Field opened in 1924.
The Mayor’s Museum Campus Working Group, chaired by Richard Price, executive chairman of investment management firm Mesirow, developed the plan to renovate the museum campus area of the city that includes Soldier Field. The plan to add a dome involves constructing four “super pillars” outside of the stadium to support the dome roof. The design for the dome was inspired by a hybrid concept of designs used for Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, and U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings.
Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the plans to renovate Soldier Field and the surrounding area will benefit the city even if the Bears leave. Lightfoot said the city is in discussions with other potential long-term tenants for Soldier Field.
Related Stories
Adaptive Reuse | May 15, 2024
Modular adaptive reuse of parking structure grants future flexibility
The shift away from excessive parking requirements aligns with a broader movement, encouraging development of more sustainable and affordable housing.
Retail Centers | May 3, 2024
Outside Las Vegas, two unused office buildings will be turned into an open-air retail development
In Henderson, Nev., a city roughly 15 miles southeast of Las Vegas, 100,000 sf of unused office space will be turned into an open-air retail development called The Cliff. The $30 million adaptive reuse development will convert the site’s two office buildings into a destination for retail stores, chef-driven restaurants, and community entertainment.
Student Housing | May 1, 2024
Pfluger Architects unveils renovated student lounges at all-girls dormitory
In a step toward updating and modernizing on-campus housing to attract a range of students, Texas-based Pfluger Architects renovated the student lounges in Kinsolving Hall, a five-story, all-girls dormitory at The University of Texas at Austin initially built in 1958.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 29, 2024
6 characteristics of a successful adaptive reuse conversion
In the continuous battle against housing shortages and the surplus of vacant buildings, developers are turning their attention to the viability of adaptive reuse for their properties.
Resiliency | Apr 22, 2024
Controversy erupts in Florida over how homes are being rebuilt after Hurricane Ian
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently sent a letter to officials in Lee County, Florida alleging that hundreds of homes were rebuilt in violation of the agency’s rules following Hurricane Ian. The letter provoked a sharp backlash as homeowners struggle to rebuild following the devastating 2022 storm that destroyed a large swath of the county.
Building Materials | Apr 22, 2024
Tacoma, Wash., investigating policy to reuse and recycle building materials
Tacoma, Wash., recently initiated a study to find ways to increase building material reuse through deconstruction and salvage. The city council unanimously voted to direct the city manager to investigate deconstruction options and estimate costs.
Mixed-Use | Apr 9, 2024
A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district
Since its construction began two decades ago, Daybreak, the 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, has been a catalyst and model for regional growth. The latest addition is a 200-acre mixed-use entertainment district that will serve as a walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the community, anchored by a minor-league baseball park and a cinema/entertainment complex.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 28, 2024
Longwood Gardens reimagines its horticulture experience with 17-acre conservatory
Longwood Gardens announced this week that Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, the most ambitious revitalization in a century of America’s greatest center for horticultural display, will open to the public on November 22, 2024.
Sustainability | Mar 13, 2024
Trends to watch shaping the future of ESG
Gensler’s Climate Action & Sustainability Services Leaders Anthony Brower, Juliette Morgan, and Kirsten Ritchie discuss trends shaping the future of environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
Laboratories | Jan 25, 2024
Tactical issues for renovating university research buildings
Matthew Plecity, AIA, ASLA, Principal, GBBN, highlights the connection between the built environment and laboratory research, and weighs the benefits of renovation vs. new construction.
