The 1901 Project Selected as Development Site for
The Eisenberg Foundation’s 18th Annual Real Estate Challenge Case Competition
United Center Joint Venture to Serve as Program Partner
NORTHBROOK, IL (November 6, 2026) – The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation is partnering with the United Center Joint Venture and its transformative, innovative development site The 1901 Project for the Foundation’s 18th Annual Real Estate Challenge on April 10, 2027.
The Annual Real Estate Challenge is a competition welcoming college and university teams from across the country. Teams will create and present a development plan for a future phase of The 1901 Project, a groundbreaking $7 billion neighborhood investment on Chicago’s West Side, dedicated to transforming the area surrounding the United Center.
Spearheaded by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, The 1901 Project will enhance infrastructure and create economic opportunities for West Side residents with a jolt of new development, bridging neighborhoods and generating opportunities for residents, businesses and all of Chicago. The owners of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks will convert 55 acres of land surrounding the arena — much of which is currently surface parking lots — into an integrated district comprising housing, retail, entertainment venues, public spaces, and a hotel.
A record number of 27 graduate and undergraduate level teams participated in the 2026 Challenge.
“The stature of our Real Estate Case Competition continues to expand because of projects and partnerships the caliber of the United Center Joint Venture and its high-profile The 1901 Project,” said Peter Eisenberg, President, Board of Directors, Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation. “In tandem with attracting these types of opportunities, we are able to provide competitive educational experiences for an already-engaged base of college and university partners while also attracting new participants from across the country.”
“We are honored that the Eisenberg Foundation’s 18th Annual Real Estate Challenge has selected The 1901 Project as its 2027 case competition site. This transformative development is rooted in creating new opportunities on Chicago’s West Side and will offer us the chance to see the vision of the next generation of development leaders,” said Michael Reinsdorf, President and CEO, Chicago Bulls and Co-Chair, United Center Joint Venture. “We look forward to welcoming these talented students from across the country to the United Center and being inspired by their creativity and innovation.”
Challenge teams are tasked with presenting a comprehensive analysis, vision and conclusion of how to maximize the potential of the site from both a financial and feasibility standpoint. Just as any developer would do when planning a project, the teams will have baseline parameters in terms of gross site area, areas of public right of way and maximum guidelines in terms of floor area ratio, density and building height.
Danny Wirtz, Chairman and CEO, Chicago Blackhawks; Co-Chair, United Center Joint Venture, shared, “We’re thrilled to partner with The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation and welcome students from leading colleges and universities to explore the future vision of The 1901 Project. This competition reflects the bold thinking and collaborative spirit that define this development, and we’re eager to see the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas of future industry leaders. I am optimistic and excited to see what these students will bring to the United Center.”
A panel of industry leaders will serve as judges to determine the final teams and award the winners. At the conclusion of the competition, the Foundation will award first, second and third place winners in both the Graduate and Undergraduate team divisions. The first place teams will also receive a $7,500 scholarship.
The Eisenberg Foundation has hosted the Real Estate Challenge since 2010 and has always sought prominent Chicago areas sites for the competition. Other notable competition sites have included Cabrini-Green, U.S. Steel Southworks, 63rd and Stony Island Ave adjacent to the (then) future Obama Presidential Center, Johnny’s Icehouse East, 934 and 1001 North Branch on Goose Island, the former Michael Reese Hospital, and a portion of The 78.
Among the significant deadlines associated with the 2027 Challenge include:
Opportunities are available for real estate and related financial companies to sponsor the Challenge. More information is available on the Foundation’s website at www.eisenbergfoundation.org/real-estate-challenge/.
The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation has two primary focuses: to raise awareness and funds to support gastrointestinal research and to educate and prepare the next generation of real estate industry leaders and professionals.
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ABOUT THE UNITED CENTER JOINT VENTURE:
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), is a globally recognized and multi-use entertainment facility that has welcomed more than 70 million fans since opening in 1994. The United Center hosts more than 200 events each year, including the best sporting events, musical performers, family shows and special events in the industry. The arena also serves as the anchor for The 1901 Project, a $7 billion transformative neighborhood investment where the unifying power of sports, music and culture connects the city of Chicago. A commitment to creating iconic stories, providing superior service and creating economic opportunities makes the United Center one of the premiere venues in the world.
For more information, visit www.unitedcenter.com and www.The1901ProjectChicago.com.
Media Contacts:
Michael Millar | 847-863-1037
Open Slate Communications
mjmillar@openslatecommunications.com
Kristen Young
Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation