A development boom is changing a lot along the Chicago River. New skyscrapers are going up, plans for an entirely new neighborhood are moving forward, and more. Here are six projects that could reshape the land along the river. 

Rendering courtesy of North Branch

North Branch

The North Branch Framework Plan focuses on 760 acres of land between Kinzie Street and Fullerton Avenue. The riverside land, previously an industrial area, is being rezoned to allow for mixed-use development. 

Ald. Michele Smith (43rd Ward), Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), and the North Branch Park Preserve are campaigning to bring a 24-acre park to the land. The aldermen are concerned that high-rises will proliferate in the area and squeeze out the possibility of large, public space like the proposed park, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not backing the plan, but he is promising to set aside park space, add new riverfront trails, and extend The 606 in the North Branch, according to another Chicago Sun-Times report. 

Rendering courtesy of Lincoln Yards

Lincoln Yards

Lincoln Yards is a $6 to $10 billion development planned for 70 acres of riverfront land between Bucktown and Lincoln Park. Developer Sterling Bay has big plans for the land that will include a new soccer stadium, office space, residential buildings, a brewery, a dog park, a sledding hill, and more. 

Rendering courtesy of River District

River District

Tribune Media is leading the development of 37 acres of land in River West. The River District development, approved in part by the Chicago Plan Commission, will feature 18 buildings and public space along the river. The River District could be the future site of Amazon’s HQ2 campus.

Rendering courtesy of The Riverline

The Riverline

The Riverline is a project going up on 14 acres of riverfront land in the South Loop. The $2 billion project will include eight buildings, a river walk, and a new water taxi stop. Developers Lendlease and CMK recently broke the project into two sections.

Photo courtesy of 110 N. Wacker

110 N. Wacker

Developers secured a construction permit to begin work on the 800-foot, 54-story office tower at 110 N. Wacker, according to Curbed Chicago. The skyscraper is replacing a low-rise building that dates back to the 1950s. Developers Howard Hughes Corporate and Riverside Investment & Development are leading the project, while architecture firm Goettsch Partners is designing the project. Plans for 110 N. Wacker also include a waterfront promenade, according to the report. 

Rendering courtesy of The 78

The 78

The 78 is another major South Loop project set to spring up along the river. A 62-acre plot of land bordered by Roosevelt Road, Clark Street, 16th Street, and the river is the site of a multiphase project that will create a 78th neighborhood, simply dubbed The 78. Eventually, this development would connect the South Loop and Chinatown and feature offices, hotels, retail space, and residential buildings. The project is expected to begin construction next year.