The Chicago Bulls new practice facility is nothing short of breathtaking. Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf showed plans to Chicago aldermen on Wednesday for the $25 million 60,000-square-foot facility to be built on what is currently Parking Lot J, adjacent to the United Center. The completion date is scheduled for some time in 2014.
Designed by 360 architects, the new building will be located just west of Downtown Chicago at 35 S. Wood Street and boasts a plethora of state-of-the art amenities such as a more expansive basketball court, nicer locker rooms, therapeutic pools and a video room. Additional outdoor amenities include 162 parking spaces with 56 fenced-in spots and gated entry for players and staff, a second-level roof terrace and outdoor courtyards. The building’s exterior will be mostly glass and will feature metal panels, glazing and wood.
The facility is private and built to benefit the players who prefer to live, work and practice in the city and not have the hour-long commute from their current suburban facility in Deerfield. Currently all Bulls practices are closed and there is no definitive word yet on how accessible the new building will be to occasional tourists.
Bulls Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf says the Bulls will continue to practice in their current facility until the 2014-2015 season. Perhaps with this new facility being in the city and away from the suburbs, more players will want to come to Chicago to play for the Bulls. This would of course feed into the organization’s ultimate goal – to win more championships.
Hollie M. Woods is a writer for Rant Sports covering the Chicago Bulls and the NBA. Like her on Facebook.
