Once defined by rail lines and industrial remnants, Chicago’s North Branch riverfront is set to be transformed through the proposal for the new Chicago Fire MLS stadium. What began as a vision to reclaim underutilized land has grown into a project that combines sports, civic life, and environmental stewardship, resulting in a vibrant and inclusive riverfront district. Young talents Graylon Sestak and Ethan Overland endeavor to design a sports venue and civic anchor.
Rather than a standalone venue, the stadium is designed to serve as a civic connector, an anchor that connects historically fragmented neighborhoods. Its strategic location can create a network of plazas, promenades, and pedestrian bridges that extend beyond the game day experience, encouraging year-round gathering and exchange. Expansive terraces overlook the riverfront, drawing both spectators and residents into spaces of leisure and discovery, while bridges transform circulation across the water into moments of connection.
This design proposal was awarded the 2025 IOC IAKS Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals
©Graylon Sestak, Ethan Overland
©Graylon Sestak, Ethan Overland
Location
Chicaco, USA
Designer
Graylon Sestak, Kansas City, USA
Ethan Overland, New York, USA
