Report: Blackhawks making huge changes starting in 2025

According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls (NBA) have announced a $7 billion expansion of the United Center to be rolled out over the next 10 years. Construction will begin in 2025 and is planned in seven stages.

From the Blackhawks/Bulls:

The owners behind the United Center announced on Tuesday that the parking lots and area surrounding the United Center will be replaced by a $7 billion mixed-use district — a price tag they say would make it the largest private investment in the West Side.

Dubbed The 1901 Project, if approved, the estimated 10-year development would transform the West Side with green space, mixed-income housing, a music hall and more. Construction is planned in seven phases, with the first estimated to start as early as next year.

The United Center was opened in 1994 and had some interior renovations completed in 2010 with some exterior renovations in 2014. 

“We think that this project is going to send a powerful, positive message to the world, and it’s going to showcase how Chicago and Illinois continue to set new standards in partnership, architecture, community commitment, growth — all on the heels of what we know is going to be a successful [Democratic National] convention,” United Center chief executive officer Terry Savarise said in a prepared statement.

The United Center is one of those rare buildings that has actually matched or exceeded the prestige of the team's former home. The famed Chicago Stadium was demolished in 1995 with fans across the sporting world decrying its demise. The United Center though has proved to be an even better facility and has played home to now dozens of iconic Chicago sports moments.