CHICAGO, IL — Related Midwest and CRG welcomed more than 500 guests, including city and state officials, project partners, labor leaders, and community stakeholders, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), the first phase of Quantum Shore Chicago, a 440-acre master-planned technology and innovation district along the Chicago lakefront.
Located on the former U.S. Steel South Works site in the South Chicago neighborhood, Quantum Shore Chicago lays the groundwork for future development in sectors including quantum computing, technology, health care, and other innovation-driven fields. Viewed as the next frontier in technology, quantum computing has the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges — from climate and energy to pharmaceuticals, defense, financial services, and more.
Created through a public-private partnership with state and federal agencies, the IQMP will occupy 128 acres on the southern end of the site. The campus will include a cryoplant and equipment labs, as well as research and office spaces where universities and private companies can work side by side.
The first phase of the IQMP is designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC). Clayco, the parent company of both LJC and CRG, will serve as general contractor for the initial phase.
“Clayco is proud to play a lead role in this transformative project, which will elevate Chicago on the global stage while creating opportunities for those who live closest to this long-dormant site,” said Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer and President of the Chicagoland Region at Clayco. “By bringing the future of quantum computing to life, we are building not only a cutting-edge facility but also the foundation for technological breakthroughs that will shape industries and communities for decades to come.”
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Urban design elements include building materials that support diverse architectural expressions; bird-safe technology that mitigates collisions; native landscaping that provides habitats for migratory birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators; and public artwork that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the site.
Situated along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Quantum Shore Chicago is one of the largest contiguous infill waterfront properties in the country. Related and its partners will leverage large-scale, multiphase development and design expertise to connect the district to the adjacent neighborhood while supporting the local ecology.
Related Midwest and its partners will prioritize small and emerging local businesses during construction and ongoing operation of Quantum Shore Chicago. The firms are supporting workforce development programs and partnerships with area schools to engage local youth and lead students toward sustainable career paths spanning multiple industries.
In developing Quantum Shore Chicago, Related will expand connectivity to more than 100 acres of parkland, enhancing Steelworkers Park, Park 566, and the lakefront, while introducing a new park along the North Slip that highlights the site’s historic ore walls. Redevelopment of the site also calls for a 1.65-mile recreational trail linking the Calumet River and South Slip to 3.8 miles of uninterrupted Lake Michigan waterfront — a distance equivalent to the waterfront span from the Merchandise Mart to McCormick Place.
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Related will also support the construction of new, affordably priced housing on vacant lots in the surrounding neighborhood, working in partnership with community organizations.
