The University of Illinois’ $300 million technology and research hub, Discovery Partners Institute, will not happen at The 78, the 62-acre South Loop property, officials said Friday.
Projects from casinos to IKEAs to Amazon headquarters have all surfaced and withered on a site that has remained vacant for decades, and on the heels of the U of I announcement came a new one Friday from property owner Related Midwest: The developer says it wants to house stadiums for both the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Fire.
The U of I’s technology hub, which already was under construction at The 78, will instead have a presence at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, site of the former U.S. Steel South Works plant at East 79th Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Both The 78 and quantum computing facility are being developed by Related Midwest.
Quantum computing’s potential has exploded since the Discovery Partners Institute was announced in 2017. It could lead to the manufacturing of new medical drugs and make sensitive data almost impermeable to hacking, among other possibilities touted by experts.
The institute, also referred to as DPI, cited its desire to make Illinois a global leader in technology as reason to expand its focus in quantum computing and relocate to the state’s quantum park.
“DPI was created to train people for high-demand tech jobs, conduct applied research and development, and build businesses, and that vital work continues. It also was designed to be nimble and move quickly to serve the people of Illinois,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said in a release. “The changes happening locally and globally in computing have created an incredible, once-in-a-generation opportunity that DPI is well-situated to harness for our state.”
U of I System shared its new plans with Gov. JB Pritzker, who “appreciated the magnitude of the opportunity and supports the expansion of its focus,” Killeen said.
DPI plans to keep a downtown headquarters, which will be DPI North. Its presence at the state quantum park — described as “a quantum-focused facility established in partnership with globally recognized companies” — will become DPI South.
DPI will continue to operate at its current downtown facilities, 200 S. Wacker Drive, while looking for new locations for DPI North.
Related Midwest remains “committed to developing The 78, which continues to have transformational potential for our city,” a spokesperson said.
“While we were disappointed to learn of DPI’s decision to exit The 78, its departure opens up opportunities for new partnerships and site configurations, including the current DPI parcel, that were not possible under the previous plan.
“Given its proximity to downtown, adjacency to the river and flexibility to accommodate a wide range of uses, The 78 stands alone in its ability to house large institutions that want to plant their flag in the heart of Chicago. We are actively exploring the co-location of dual stadiums for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Fire, two organizations whose presence at The 78 would align with our vision of creating Chicago’s next great neighborhood.”
Related Midwest had donated 1.5 acres of land at The 78 to U of I for the DPI research hub. Located on the 62-acre site’s southern end, the hub would have anchored the development.
The Sun-Times first reported in January that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Related Midwest President Curt Bailey were in negotiations to build a new ballpark at The 78. At that time, sources said the Chicago Fire — who play at Soldier Field — could move to Guaranteed Rate Field if the White Sox were to leave. The White Sox’s lease at Guaranteed Rate ends in 2029.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.