Jan 7, 2026 - Business

From stadiums to skyscrapers: Chicago's most anticipated 2026 projects

Justin Kaufmann

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Tall, angular building with light gray marble facade and black top section under clear blue sky, surrounded by cars, street lamps, young trees with autumn leaves, and a chain-link fence. — The Obama Presidential Library along Stony Island Avenue. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Last year brought us proposals for new stadiums and extreme pivots on massive megadevelopments.

Here are the big projects on our radar this year:

Obama Presidential Center

It's safe to say that the Obama Presidential Center is the most anticipated development of the decade.

The Obama Center is rounding the final lap and is poised to open in June. Some buildings for the long-awaited campus have already been completed and the center just announced its hiring staff to prepare for the opening.

As that approaches, brace yourself for more bashing from President Trump, who has set his sights on the former president and this project.

What to watch for: Will the project deliver on reinvigorating the Woodlawn neighborhood or will visitors strictly stay on the Jackson Park campus?

Other South Side projects to watch include the Metropolis Pointe development in Bronzeville and Quantum Park on the Southeast side.

Indiana Bears

Soldier Field. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Is it truly possible the Chicago Bears could build a new stadium across the state line? According to Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, the answer is a rushed yes.

The latest: Braun said Tuesday he is moving quickly to secure a stadium deal for the Bears in Hammond.

This comes as Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch once again said the legislature is focused on bringing down the cost of living for state residents, not subsidizing sports stadiums.

Reality check: The Bears are asking for more than a stadium; they want an entertainment district surrounding it.

Yes, but: Could a new entertainment district and stadium attract suburban residents who would have to travel much farther to see games?

The Bears aren't technically asking for taxpayer money, but they do want assurances from the state that they will get subsidies to improve infrastructure around the proposed site.

Large circular building under construction with steel framework, white and green construction materials, and blue fences surrounding the site on a gray, snowy day at an urban intersection. — The new Ryan Field in Evanston. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Other stadium projects to watch for: The new Ryan Field at Northwestern should be ready by next football season and it's all systems go on the Chicago Fire's new stadium in the South Loop.

Google headquarters

Curved glass building under construction with a tall red crane, surrounded by tall skyscrapers, cars parked on the street, and colorful construction barriers under a clear blue sky. — Construction continues on the new Google headquarters downtown. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

If you've walked down Randolph Street in the Loop, you've seen the former Thompson Center getting a major facelift. Google's new Midwest headquarters is on schedule to open this year.

What to watch for: Will the $280 million makeover bring world-class design and much-needed foot traffic back downtown?

Other downtown projects include the construction of DuSable Park at the mouth of the Chicago River, a new Barnes & Noble store in the former Old Navy flagship location on State Street and a sleek skyscraper in the old parking lot just east of the Tribune Tower.

Lincoln Yards/Foundry Park

Empty concrete lot with fenced grass area under blue sky, a black banner with words "WHERE CHICAGO CONNECTS", and traffic signs including no parking and hard hat area warnings. — Part of the Lincoln Yards project on the Near North Side. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

We can't wait to read the future books written about the failure of the Lincoln Yards megadevelopment. The massive Near North Side project was contentious when approved in 2019, but due to the pandemic and inflation, the development never got off the ground.

Now, Sterling Bay has sold a big portion of the unused land and a new company is promising a scaled-back development called Foundry Park.

What to watch for: Whether that project suffers the same fate or finally starts to redevelop the empty land in the heart of the city.

Other North Side projects to watch include the Bally's Casino in West Town (late fall opening), a new housing development on Goose Island called Halsted Pointe and a transit-centric development under the CTA flyover at Roscoe and Clark in Lakeview.