SOM, with the City of Chicago and Chicago 2016, developed the Master Plan for Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. Coordinating with dozens of architects, planners, engineers, and construction firms, SOM led the planning effort that resulted in Chicago being selected to represent the United States in the international phase of the bid. The plan places most venues within an easy walk of transit and close to both downtown Chicago and the lakefront.

At the geographic center of the plan is the Olympic Village, which will utilize air-rights over an existing truck staging yard to develop housing, training, and support facilities for athletes. SOM developed conceptual planning for the Village that will, following the Games, be transformed into a mixed-use mixed-income community that will revitalize the area and reconnect adjacent neighborhoods to the lakefront.

Project Facts

Completion Year: Ongoing