T
he future of The 78 development in Chicago's South Loop hangs in the balance as reports emerge about the potential sale of the Chicago White Sox. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf is considering selling the team after a dismal season and failed attempts to secure public funding for a new stadium. This uncertainty jeopardizes Related Midwest's plans for a new White Sox stadium, which was set to be the anchor of the 62-acre mixed-use development.

    The potential sale raises questions about whether The 78 will become the envisioned neighborhood with residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces. Reinsdorf is in talks with a group interested in buying the team, which has been trying to secure an MLB expansion team in Nashville. The looming end date of his lease at Guaranteed Rate Field in 2029 added urgency to securing public funding for a new stadium.

    The uncertainty surrounding The 78 has increased following the University of Illinois' decision to cancel its plans for the Discovery Partners Institute on the site. This academic anchor was expected to draw businesses, researchers, and students, forming an intellectual cornerstone of the development. Losing both the institute and the planned stadium could fundamentally alter the project's trajectory.

    Despite this uncertainty, Related Midwest CEO Curt Bailey remains optimistic about The 78. His firm has secured significant land for the development, which includes plans for thousands of residential units and commercial space.