Chicago Politics

World Business Chicago Announcement 6.26.25

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Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends a special announcement press conference with World Business Chicago.

Transcript

0:02 Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us. I'm Sierra Boatwright. I am the Planning Commissioner for the City of Chicago, and it's my pleasure to welcome you to City Hall on behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Today, we're announcing a new partnership with Universal Destination and Experiences that will reimagine one of Westtown's most prominent riverfront locations as a cultural destination for the entire region.

0:34 The project involves a vacant industrial building on the northwest corner of Chicago and Hausted, which will be transformed into a year-round entertainment complex that complements the planned Bally's Casino across the street. The project aligns with the city's employment and land-use goals of the North Branch Industrial Corridor, which continues to evolve with innovative, exciting, and contemporary investment. The project team will share more details in a moment.

1:05 At this point, I'd like to introduce the city's vice mayor to share his thoughts. 27th Ward, Alderman Walter Burnett. Thank you very much, Commissioner. You know, I grew up in this area. I'm so blessed that so many things are happening over there. We actually used to call that area when we were kids Ghost Town. We used to literally go over there and chase rabbits and a whole bunch of things.

1:37 Then later on, they did this movie about Candyman. But I'm excited that a lot of great things are happening in this community. You know, it's a funny thing. I used to box. So I was in the Golden Gloves, made it to the championship, didn't win, so they don't announce me as a champion. But one of the first things we learn how to do in boxing, you learn how to pivot. So you can punch someone in different spots, you know, so you can keep hitting them and make sure you hit him and catch him off guard.

2:10 My man, he does a good job. He must have boxed, too. And let me say this. A lot of things come at the city of Chicago. A lot of things come at this mayor. And I don't know if you all recognize, but he keeps pivoting. He keeps throwing punches and getting things done in different ways in the city of Chicago that don't get recognized, but they happen.

2:44 And the city is still prospering. People are still moving to the city. Businesses are still coming. Developments are still getting built. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Mayor Brandon Johnson. I thought you were going to say, Mr. Vice Mayor and the undefeated, undisputed champion of the world. But thank you for your leadership, Alderman and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett. Thank you to our Commissioner, Boatwright, for her just unwavering commitment to ensuring that projects like these can come to fruition.

3:25 But I'm grateful to be here with you all on this great afternoon in the city of Chicago for this incredible and exciting announcement. Chicago has long been a destination, a city full of unique and innovative attractions for visitors from all over the world. It's been reported that the city of Chicago is the number one destination for the 4th of July. And it's a true testament to how we are building the safest, most affordable big city in America. And today's announcement will bring yet another exciting new attraction and draw more fans to the beautiful city that we all call home.

4:01 I have to give a really special big shout out to our Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt and the World Business Chicago Business Development Team who have been working on this project with Universal's executive and government affairs team since October of 2024. And WBC team has worked hard to make this happen through a high level meetings and exchanges with city agencies and offered support around space permits, zoning, and site access.

4:33 This project and redevelopment will also uplift and revitalize a dynamic neighborhood, as the vice mayor has described. When completed, this venue will not only bring growth with new visitors to this community, but it will also create 400 permanent jobs for Chicagoans, which ultimately grows our local economy. I'm very excited about this announcement, And I have no doubt that fans of this. This genre will flock to our city for these memorable experiences.

5:05 And so now I have the proud privilege really to introduce to you all the president of New Ventures at Universal Destinations and Experiences. His name is Paige Thompson, but before I bring him here, Paige has worked to expand Universal's portfolio by developing new strategies and bringing Universal's iconic storytelling to new audiences in a very creative, immersive ways. So you're going to get a chance to hear, hopefully, maybe some of those stories that he tells.

5:35 I'm not sure if he has it in his talking points today, but if he doesn't, we'll make some time for you all to come together in a dark, quiet room where he can share that gift. But without further ado, you all, please welcome Mr. Page Thompson. Thank you. Well, hello, everybody. And thank you, Mayor Johnson, Vice Mayor Burnett, for the warm welcome and your constant enthusiasm from this project from the first time that we met. I'd like to also recognize other esteemed guests from the World Business Chicago.

6:09 World Business Chicago has been great to work with, the city council, and the state of Illinois. And this announcement would not be happening without the support from all of those bodies and individuals. It's truly fantastic to be here in Chicago, a city full of energy, culture, and creativity. And Chicago is also a place where all the greater Comcast, NBC, Universal parts come together. We have our Comcast cable business here, our Comcast business services, our NBC and Telemundo-owned stations, and now I'm proud to say Universal Destinations and Experience is coming to Chicago with this bold new concept.

6:44 At Universal, we create the most innovative, immersive, and popular entertainment experiences for our guests at our five world-class resorts and theme parks around the world. And we're really on a roll right now at Universal. We recently opened the amazing Epic Universe in Orlando. Next year, we'll open the Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. And we just announced that we're going to be coming to the United Kingdom in 2031 with a huge theme park and resort. But today, I'm here to talk about the exciting new concept we're bringing to Chicago. Thank you.

7:15 We called this page. Thank you, man. Universal Horror Unleashed. So horror is a multibillion-dollar, year-round, fast-growing industry in the United States, and Universal is the leader in horror. Universal has longed to find the horror genre with our films featuring iconic characters such as Frankenstein's monster, the mummy, and the wolfman. And we continue to redefine horror today with films like Megan, The Purge, Us, Blackphone, and many others. So this film legacy evolved into our Halloween Horror Nights,

7:46 which is the event we host at all of our theme parks worldwide. It features these immersive, really film-quality haunted houses. You feel like you're inside the world of the film. We have terrifying scare zones and horror-themed food and drinks. So Universal Horror Unleashed, this concept, combines our film legacy and horror with our decades of experience in creating amazing immersive out-of-home events. So Horror Unleashed is a 114,000-square-foot year-round venue where guests will encounter bone-chilling scares

8:17 as they brave their way through themed immersive area. It's all fear all year because horror isn't just for Halloween. So this is a conceptual rendering. Sorry, you guys can't see it. But a conceptual rendering of the building. We'll try to provide the lightning and the full moon, but I can't guarantee that. This, again, will feature film-quality haunted houses, multiple theme bars, original food experiences, unique collectible merchandise, and thrilling seasonal events. It's going to be absolutely amazing.

8:48 and everything will be executed to the universal, world-class standard. While Las Vegas will be the home to the first Universal Horror Unleashed opening in August this year, I'm thrilled to share we've selected Chicago for our second location. Chicago's a great location. It's one of the biggest cities in the United States, obviously, third largest tourism market in the country, and we've done some research and found that Chicago has pretty high affinity for horror concepts. So we're pretty excited about that. Add that to the strong support from the local leaders,

9:18 The state, world business, Chicago, it's very clear. Chicago is the perfect place for Universal Horror Unleashed. We've secured a phenomenal location on Chicago Avenue at the former Tribune Distribution Center between River North and West Town. I'm glad it used to be called Ghost Town. That's very appropriate. That's good. It's directly across from the Pallies Casino. We're very excited about partnering with them. Our goal is to design a world-class experience that honors our legacy in horror but is deeply connected to this city and to our riverfront location. We have a long track record of being a great neighbor and friend to the community,

9:51 and we're bringing that same mindset here. We're working closely with city officials and local stakeholders to ensure the project delivers real value. through job creation, tourism growth, and economic impact. So we're still in the early phases of this development. We'll have more to share later, but please know this. The Universal momentum is real, and we're going to build something great here in the city of Chicago. I want to thank all my colleagues at Universal who worked so hard on the project. We have a saying that teamwork makes the screams work. And so I want to thank everyone in the city and everyone who's been involved in making this project a reality.

10:26 Now I want to introduce Phil Clement to bring it home. Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Well, I'm Phil Clement. I'm president and CEO of World Business Chicago, and what a moment for our city. We are delighted. And to our friends, I would say on behalf of the city's business community, 400-plus companies and civic leaders we work alongside with at WBC, a big thank you and a warm welcome to Universal Destination and Experiences, Comcast and NBCUniversal,

10:57 to a city that is purpose-built for your growth. You're joining a business ecosystem that is unique in the U.S. and globally competitive. Why? Because Chicago checks all the boxes. We're home to one of the largest, most diverse economies in the country and the world. No single industry dominates, which means we're more resilient and balanced than most major metros and have a world of customers that will be eager to come through your doors. We sit at the strategic heart of the nation, The center of infrastructure with unmatched ease of travel and access, and that's why

11:30 we're a powerhouse for tourism and distribution. We have a world-class workforce fed by more than 35 universities, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois System, producing top talent in science, tech, engineering, and the creative arts. And we're business friendly with programs and a collaborative community that wants every new arrival to thrive. I want to take a moment to recognize a few of my colleagues at World Business Chicago, whose tireless work helped bring this opportunity to life.

12:02 Kyle Schultz, our Chief Growth Officer, and Rebecca Motley, Director of Business Development, and our Vice Chair, Charles Smith. Thank you. Thank you for your leadership and for staying close to this opportunity in every way. Today's announcement is a bit of a declaration. Chicago isn't just participating in the rise of the experiential economy, we're defining it. From Southside to River West, from Navy Pier to Michigan Avenue,

12:32 we're seeing bold moves that blend culture, entertainment, and economic development. The Obama Presidential Center, rising as a global civic anchor. The new Chicago Fire Stadium at the 78. Follies, reshaping the entertainment corridor. The 1901 Project. 360 Chicago's renovation at the top of the Hancock. the Harry Potter experience, David Byrne's permanent exhibit on music, identity, and brain science, and one of my favorite, Glenn Tolman's Hand and Eye, which aims to be the global center of magic,

13:03 and, of course, the reimagining of Navy Pier. So Universal's decision to bring Horror Unleashed to River West stands out as a huge vote of confidence in our city, but it doesn't stand alone. It joins a powerful wave that's transforming underused space into opportunity and elevating Chicago's status as a national model for what's next in entertainment. So as we walk out of City Hall today, I invite you to carry this story forward. Whether you're in a boardroom, a newsroom, or across a dinner table,

13:34 talk about the momentum that we're building. Because Chicago isn't a destination, it's a decision. And in Chicago, we're never done and we're never outdone. So, as we make like Boris Karloff's mummy and wrap things up, I had to do it, a personal observation. Universal storytelling transports, thrills, and connects. So today's announcement hits home, not just as CEO of WBC, but as someone who produced haunted houses as a kid and as a teenager,

14:08 and someone who knows that magic happens when imagination meets innovation. These are the key ingredients of today's announcements, and they're bringing Chicago's cultural and artistic community to life. All right. If members of the media would like a brief one-topic interview, connect with the mayor's press office for Policides. And that's it. Thank you very much. Well, thank you all again for being here.

14:38 And this is, yeah, I won't do a dad joke, I promise you. I'll leave that to Paige and Phil, but I'm really excited about this project. So Erin? Yes. So we're going to take a moment to do a photograph with everyone first, and then we'll split for questions with the audience. All right. Very well. Where are we doing that? We line everyone up here, right in front of the flag there.

17:12 Who's first? All right, thank you. Charlie. Okay. Clearly, I haven't had a talk. First of all, I think we have a building that looks just like that already. It does. It's one of the advantages. I know. Mr. Mayor, is the hope here to develop an entire entertainment complex in the area? There certainly is an opportunity to have some uniformity and some consistency around these particular, you know, developments.

17:45 I mean, as you know, on the southeast side, for instance, where PsyQuantum will be the hub and the center there, the outburst from that particular region around just not just the new form of technology, but also creating more opportunities for the life sciences to continue to grow. Same thing with the 1901 project, right, where you have an entertainment district there that will also spear development for affordable housing. I mean, here is yet, you know, one of those particular unique moments in our city's history where there is some fluidity and some continuity around the development.

18:23 I think the most important thing is what I've said repeatedly is that the city of Chicago is open for business. Since I've been in office, we're talking about billions of dollars of new development that is coming to Chicago. That's a clear testament that developers are confident in my leadership. It also speaks to just the beauty of Chicago, as Phil indicated, an incredibly diverse economy, top universities, the best workforce, 20 percent of the world's fresh water. Our population has grown over the last year, and violent crime continues to go down in the city of Chicago.

18:55 We're building a safe and affordable big city, and it's happening right in front of our eyes. Commissioner, please. Yeah, I don't have any applications for any city incentives from the Department of Planning and Development. So as of right now, there is no city incentives from my department toward this project.

19:31 Yeah, I don't speak for the state. You can ask those questions to them unless, Paige, you want to be able to address it. You can talk to the state about that. Yep, talk to them about it. All right. Mayor, can you let my mother move to the end of my mind for us? Thank you. Are there other questions? All right, thank you all very much. Congratulations again. Thank you.

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