Organizer

Chicago Architectural Club, with World Business Chicago, Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Loop Alliance, Loop Arts District

Location

State Street corridor (Chicago River to Roosevelt Road), Chicago, IL, USA (~1.5 miles)

Deadline

Registration: June 15, 2026; Submission: July 20, 2026, 5:00pm CT

Competition Category
Retail Revitalization Strategies
Increased Residential Presence Strategies
Adaptive Reuse
Evolving Workplace Models
More Diverse Program Mix

Eligibility

Open to all — no professional qualifications required, teams of any size

Entry Fee

Early (before May 15): Professional $50 / Student $25; Regular (before June 15): Professional $75 / Student $50

Prizes/Awards

1st $3,000, 2nd $2,000, 3rd $1,000 + exhibitions; Shortlisted $100 honorarium + Arts Fest; Total pool $8,000; 1st place may be selected for implementation

Core Introduction: An open international competition calling for bold proposals to reimagine State Street as Chicago's "Great Street," addressing post-pandemic vacancy, hybrid work shifts, changing retail, and growing residential population in the Loop.