A New Vision for LaSalle Street: Chicago’s Next Great Neighborhood

For more than a century, LaSalle Street has been the epicenter of Chicago’s Financial District—a corridor lined with iconic architecture, major business institutions, and the seat of government. But as cities evolve, so must their core districts.

The city’s vision for LaSalle Street is a bold step forward, transforming this historic corridor from a 9-to-5 business hub into a thriving mixed-use neighborhood with homes, businesses, and dynamic public spaces.

A new report from the city’s planning and transportation departments proposes creating “character zones” along the corridor filled with cafes, greenery, retail, plazas and other amenities.

This initiative isn’t just about LaSalle—it’s about Chicago. What’s good for LaSalle is good for the city, and this transformation will strengthen the entire Loop and beyond.

“The goal is to make LaSalle more of a neighborhood Main Street that serves a dynamic mix of users, versus solely a finance-oriented workday population that largely defined the corridor’s last 100 years,” Commissioner Ciere Boatright said. “The formal vision provides a roadmap for future enhancements in support of new and ongoing public and private investment.”

“This vision plan complements CDOT’s ongoing engineering assessment, which is evaluating the existing conditions of LaSalle Street to identify opportunities for future public way enhancements,” CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney said. “We are exploring a range of potential improvements, including streetscape amenities, landscaping, and roadway upgrades, to create a vibrant, inviting corridor that meets the needs of everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

Community-Driven Change: 11 Principles Shaping LaSalle’s Future

At the heart of this transformation are 11 community-driven principles, reflecting what residents, businesses, and civic leaders envision for LaSalle’s next chapter:

• Honor the Past, Embrace the Future – Celebrate LaSalle’s historic significance while embracing modern possibilities in design and use.
• From Office District to Neighborhood – Encourage new residential development and diverse housing options to create a true 24/7 community.
• Revitalizing Foot Traffic – Restore bustling energy with more ground-level activity, retail, and cultural attractions.
• Lighting the Way After Dark – Extend vibrancy beyond traditional business hours with creative lighting, entertainment, and nightlife programming.
• Seamless Connectivity – Enhance pedestrian-friendly streets, transit access, and cultural linkages to better connect the Loop to the broader city.
• Green Spaces & Gathering Places – Activate underutilized areas with plazas, parklets, and community hubs that invite interaction.
• Equitable & Inclusive Growth – Ensure that LaSalle is a place for all Chicagoans, not just those working in finance and government.
• Prioritizing Pedestrians Over Cars – Rethink LaSalle’s infrastructure to create a walkable, people-first environment.
• Elevating Chicago’s Identity – Strengthen LaSalle’s role in showcasing Chicago’s global reputation as an economic and cultural powerhouse.

Four Transformative Projects Moving Forward

This vision isn’t just conceptual—it’s already taking shape, with four major redevelopment projects leading the way. Together, they will introduce over 1,000 new apartments—including 300 affordable units—into the Loop, making LaSalle a true residential community for the first time in history.

At 79 W. Monroe, the historic Bell Federal Savings & Loan Building—famous for its weather prediction clock—is being converted into 117 apartments, with 41 set aside as affordable units. Spearheaded by R2 Co. and the Campari Group, this $64.2 million investment is a flagship project in the LaSalle vision.

Just down the street, 111 W. Monroe is undergoing an ambitious transformation into a 345-unit residential tower, featuring 105 affordable apartments and a 228-room hotel. The $203 million development, led by Prime/Capri Interests, LLC, will bring more hospitality, energy, and foot traffic to the corridor.

Further south, 208 S. LaSalle will feature 226 new apartments, 84 of which will be affordable, nestled between two historic hotels. The project, led by The Prime Group, takes full advantage of LaSalle’s architectural charm to blend old and new in an exciting way.

The most expansive of the four projects, 30 N. LaSalle, will see 349 apartments, 105 affordable units, and new ground-floor retail spaces, thanks to Golub & Co. This $130 million investment will introduce green space and public seating, making the street more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Reimagining LaSalle Street as a “Main Street” for All

Beyond housing, this transformation aims to redefine how people experience LaSalle Street. Plans include landscaped plazas, outdoor cafés, activated alleys, and community gathering spaces extending the corridor’s vibrancy beyond office hours. The city is conducting a comprehensive engineering assessment to guide future streetscape enhancements, transit improvements, and pedestrian-first infrastructure.

The new Vision for LaSalle Street isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. It’s about turning a historic corridor into a place where Chicagoans can live, work, gather, and thrive.

For more details and to explore the vision, visit Chicago.gov/LaSalleStreet.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant Chicago—one that is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation across all corners of the city:

• Google’s reimagining of the Thompson Center, turning a historic landmark into a cutting-edge tech hub.
• The revitalization of LaSalle Street, creating a dynamic mixed-use corridor blending business, culture, and residential living.
• The modernization of Chase Tower, reinforcing the Loop as a premier destination for corporate investment.
• The Obama Presidential Center, which will serve as a beacon of history, education, and economic opportunity on the South Side.
• O’Hare’s multibillion-dollar expansion, enhancing global connectivity and positioning Chicago as the nation’s premier aviation hub.
• Advocate Health’s $1 billion investment, expanding access to world-class healthcare on the South Side.
• Project 1901 on the West Side, unlocking new opportunities for community-driven economic growth.
• Xchange in Grand Crossing, anchored by SDI Presence, fostering innovation and workforce development.
• The envisioned quantum campus on the Southeast Side led by PsiQuantum, establishing Chicago as a leader in next-generation computing.

Chicago’s transformation is underway, and these projects are just the beginning. As we continue to grow, invest, and innovate, we remain committed to building a city that offers opportunity for all.

Chicago’s transformation is being driven by World Business Chicago board member companies, whose leadership and investment continue to propel the city forward. Companies such as Gensler Google, J.P. Morgan, SDI Presence, DL3 Realty, PsiQuantum, Related Companies, Clayco , Redmond Construction LLC—and many more are shaping the future of our city through bold investments and strategic initiatives.

At World Business Chicago, we are proud to work alongside these industry leaders and our broader business community to drive inclusive economic growth. If your company is looking to invest, expand, or collaborate in Chicago, we invite you to connect with us and be part of this momentum.