Chicago wants to turn an old steel plant property into Amazon's $5 billion HQ2 campus - take a look at the designs

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Chicago wants to turn an old steel plant property into Amazon's $5 billion HQ2 campus - take a look at the designs

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Sterling Bay

A rendering of the Lincoln Yards redevelopment project.

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In January, Amazon revealed the top 20 contenders for its second headquarters, dubbed HQ2. One of those locations is Chicago.

The city has proposed 10 different sites in a mix of urban and suburban spots, including an industrial area on the North Side. Part of the redevelopment, called Lincoln Yards, would include an old steel plant property.

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This week, local developer Sterling Bay unveiled its plans for the site - just in time for Amazon's tour of the city. Although the details of the visit remain a secret, The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the company's HQ2 selection team will peruse at least three of the proposed locations on Wednesday and Thursday.

Take a look at the newest renderings for the Lincoln Yards redevelopment, designed by SOM, below.

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For the Lincoln Yards project, Sterling Bay plans to invest up to $10 billion redeveloping over 70 acres of former industrial land along the Chicago River on the city's North Side.

For the Lincoln Yards project, Sterling Bay plans to invest up to $10 billion redeveloping over 70 acres of former industrial land along the Chicago River on the city's North Side.

If Amazon picks Chicago, it could come to all — or a combination — of the 10 proposed sites.

These include two in the city center (The Downtown Gateway District and City Center Campus), two outside the city (Motorola's former headquarters in Schaumburg and McDonald's former headquarters in Oak Brook), and six in industrial areas surrounding the city (The River District, Fulton Market, The Illinois Medical District, The 78, Burnham Lakefront, and Lincoln Yards).

The site includes the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant property, which was demolished in 2015. Here's what the plant looked like in 2014.

The site includes the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant property, which was demolished in 2015. Here's what the plant looked like in 2014.

After a series of public meetings, the plan will require city zoning approval.

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The development would include millions of square feet of residential, office, and retail space, as well as a 20,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. A riverwalk would wind through the area.

The development would include millions of square feet of residential, office, and retail space, as well as a 20,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. A riverwalk would wind through the area.

It also calls for an expansive amount of open public space ...

It also calls for an expansive amount of open public space ...
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... including what would become the city's largest dog park ...

... including what would become the city's largest dog park ...

... and a farmers market.

... and a farmers market.
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The Lincoln Yards arts and entertainment district would feature wide pedestrian walkways, sidewalk cafes, and a water park to cool off in the summer.

The Lincoln Yards arts and entertainment district would feature wide pedestrian walkways, sidewalk cafes, and a water park to cool off in the summer.

In the winter, residents could ride down Lincoln Yards' sledding hill.

In the winter, residents could ride down Lincoln Yards' sledding hill.
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In conjunction with the expansion of the 606 — Chicago's elevated jogging and biking trail — Lincoln Yards would connect to a new skate park and climbing wall under the expressway as well.

In conjunction with the expansion of the 606 — Chicago's elevated jogging and biking trail — Lincoln Yards would connect to a new skate park and climbing wall under the expressway as well.

Lastly, the developers hope to replace the current Clybourn Metra stop with a new transit hub.

Lastly, the developers hope to replace the current Clybourn Metra stop with a new transit hub.
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City officials will likely talk up Chicago's mass transit system, access to university talent, relatively low costs of living, and major international airport. Amazon will make its decision in 2018 and could begin construction as early as next year.

City officials will likely talk up Chicago's mass transit system, access to university talent, relatively low costs of living, and major international airport. Amazon will make its decision in 2018 and could begin construction as early as next year.

Source: The Chicago Tribune

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