A master Planned Development (PD) zoning application for the redevelopment of the former Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville will be presented for consideration by the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday, Feb. 18.

The $3.8 billion proposal by the Global Research Innovation & Tourism (GRIT) development team would redevelop the former Michael Reese Hospital site at 29^th Street and Ellis Avenue into more than 7 million square feet of commercial, institutional, and mixed-income housing, and create more than 48,000 permanent and temporary jobs.

The GRIT team was selected through a Department of Planning and Development Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in 2016 for the largely vacant hospital site, which is owned by the City of Chicago.

The PD design guidelines for the site prioritize pedestrian-oriented retail and active uses along primary streets. With maximum heights of 350 to 450 feet, building designs would utilize high-quality materials and finishes that complement the surrounding community.

Additionally, 20 percent of future residential units would be set aside as on-site affordable housing and the Grit team would seek minority-led businesses for up to 65 percent of construction hiring.

The $600 million first phase would revitalize the southern end of the property with a Chicago Arc Innovation Building anchored by Israel’s Sheba Medical Center; a Bronzeville welcome center; senior housing; and a new park at 31st Street. The Singer Pavilion, the only remaining building from the Reese complex, would be repurposed in part to showcase the history of the hospital.

The $3 billion second phase would revitalize the northern end of the site with medical facilities, retail space, offices, residential buildings, a data center and open spaces.

The GRIT team is comprised of Farpoint Development, Loop Capital Management, Draper & Kramer, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, McLaurin Development Partners, and Bronzeville Community Development Partnership.

The City and the GRIT team are collaborating with the Michael Reese Advisory Committee and Ald. Sophia King (4th), who co-hosted community meetings about the project last year.

A draft of the Plan Commission presentation is available for review at chicago.gov/reese, along with draft design guidelines for the proposed project.

The approximately 72-acre PD would incorporate the adjacent Prairie Shores residential complex to facilitate infrastructure upgrades, street network improvements and other neighborhood connections.

If approved by Plan Commission, the proposed PD designation would be forwarded to the City Council’s zoning committee for consideration.

Terms of the proposed land sale will be considered separately by City Council. 

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