US Cities development projects

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Quantum Computing Startup EeroQ Is Moving Its HQ to Chicago | Built In Chicago

EeroQ is the first company to sign a lease at The Terminal development in Humboldt Park.

www.builtinchicago.org

After a national search for its next headquarters location, quantum computing startup EeroQ announced Thursday that it is moving its headquarters to Chicago, which is establishing itself as a quantum computing hotspot.

Quantum computers are able to solve more complex problems than classical computers. Quantum computers can tackle molecular modeling, which is used to develop drugs, vaccines and gene therapies. The computers are also capable of optimizing supply chains and handling complex financial algorithms.

Many large companies such as IBM, Google, Honeywell and Amazon are innovating in the quantum space, but EeroQ claims its unique chip design could push the company to the front of the quantum race.

“Chicago will become a leading center for quantum computing,” Nick Farina, the company’s CEO, said in a statement. “Talent and local support are critical, and we have found all of that in Chicago with a world-class base of quantum computing talent and unmatched local support.”

By planting new roots in Chicago, EeroQ is building on a growing quantum computing ecosystem that could lead innovation in the next chapter of information technology. According to Crunchbase, the company was previously based in New York and Lansing, Michigan.

Duality, the nation’s first quantum startup accelerator, was established last year in Chicago. It is run by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and P33.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia would operate two of its five National Quantum Information Science Research Centers. Each are projected to receive $115 million in funding over the next five years.

Launched in 2017, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, based at the University of Chicago, is an “intellectual hub for advancing the science and engineering of quantum information” in the Midwest. The program’s participants include Argonne, Fermilab, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Northwestern University.

David Awschalom, the director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, said in a statement that EeroQ will be an asset to the local quantum community.

“Having EeroQ’s headquarters in Chicago will pave the way for greater collaboration with our local community of scientists, engineers, and industry partners,” he said. “EeroQ will be an asset to the region, and we look forward to welcoming them as part of Chicago’s growing hub of quantum innovation and talent.”

Unlike most new tech startups, EeroQ is not moving downtown or to the trendy West Loop — it’s moving to the far west side of Humboldt Park.

EeroQ will join other tech startups in a three-building campus known as The Terminal, a redevelopment project that will bring new life to three buildings that were once used to manufacture locomotive headlights for the Pyle-National Company.

EeroQ has signed a lease on a 9,600-square-foot engineering lab and office within the main factory building, a 175,000-square-foot building at 1334 N. Kostner Avenue. The internal build-out of the building will be finished in June, according to Doug Hayes, a principal at commercial real estate agency Cawley Chicago.

The Terminal will also include co-working spaces, a community room and a performance venue.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement that EeroQ’s move into The Terminal will contribute to the city’s quantum technology ecosystem, while also contributing to the city’s INVEST South/West program, which invests in under-resourced neighborhoods on the south and west sides by creating new jobs, businesses and access to opportunity for residents.

“Thus, in choosing to operate on Chicago’s West Side, EeroQ will not only be well-positioned to capitalize on the many opportunities that quantum technology will drive, but also help to revitalize communities in need,” she said.

 

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Chicago agreed to turn 12 vacant areas in the Far South Side into a new community, named Morgan Park Commons. Morgan Park commons will include 390 housing units of which 250 will be affordable housing units alongside a new community center. alongside this, 25,000 square feet will be used to bring in retail and restaurant businesses to the area, 3 acres will be used for outdoor space for recreation.

 

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Skybox teamed up with Prologis to build a major data center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The Datacenter will be a 30mw, 189,000 Sq. Ft facility, this will be the company's first data center built outside Texas. Skybox with the help of Prologis will help the development of new facilities, rehabilitation of existing structures, and reutilization of abandoned buildings. Their goal is to help focus on renovating the Chicago area, alongside for potential expansion in the region. Skybox announced the completion of the project roughly a week ago

ComEd, Skybox finish work on newest data center for northern Illinois - Daily Energy Insider

In the past year, ComEd has helped complete the construction of six data centers for northern Illinois, including its most recent partnership with Skybox Datacenters, expanding the region’s digital infrastructure and benefiting its competitive energy ... Read More »

dailyenergyinsider.com

 

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seems like the Chicagoland will become the new and upcoming tech center for the Midwest. has Chicago done more to improve their tactics to attract more tech companies?

 

[Jaeger]

seems like the Chicagoland will become the new and upcoming tech center for the Midwest. has Chicago done more to improve their tactics to attract more tech companies?

Chicago has done a lot more and been far more aggressive in terms of attracting major tech corporations to the area, city still isn't on the same level as San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York City, but Chicago is indeed catching up finally.

progress on the Salesforce Tower, (also known as Wolf Point South) under construction, which will create 2,400 tech related jobs to the city

Cisco Systems announced it's moving its regional HQ from Rosemont, IL to Chicago bringing 1,200 jobs +spend $21 Million in their Old Post Office for its new Chicago office

Cisco Announces Chicago as Regional HQ, Will Move Into Old Post Office | Built In Chicago

The new office will reportedly have space for 1,200 employees.

www.builtinchicago.org

Chicago's startup company BenchPrep signed a lease for 15,000sq. feet in the Sears Tower (now known as Willis)

https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/inno/stories/news/2017/11/14/fast-growing-startup-benchprep-moves-into-new.html

Chicago Startup CoinFlip which focuses on Cryptocurrency just announced they leased 44,000Sq Feet in the Old Post Office building

CoinFlip moving headquarters to Old Post Office

The cryptocurrency company joins a parade of companies relocating to the former postal facility, taking 44,000 square feet in a 12-year lease.

www.chicagobusiness.com

Amazon AWS is leasing an additional 70,000sq feet in the Franklin center creating an additional 450 jobs, they so far already have 140,000sq feet leased and has 1,000 tech jobs already created here.

Amazon planning Chicago expansion, addition of up to 400 new jobs – REJournals

rejournals.com

Google announced they are leasing 132,000sq feet at 210 N. Carpenter and 252,000sq feet at 1000 W Fulton Market which have created 6,200 jobs. there are also reports of Google adding 600+ more jobs in downtown, but nothing solid yet

Google eyeing massive Fulton Market expansion

The tech giant is talking to developers in the trendy neighborhood about doubling its office footprint to around 1 million square feet.

www.chicagobusiness.com

Facebook signed a 263,000sq feet lease at 151 N. Franklin St. and 100,000sq feet lease at 191 N. Wacker Drive creating 2,500 jobs

Facebook leases huge office in Loop - North

EeroQ announced they signed a 9,600sq feet lease at 1334 N. Kostner Ave in Humboldt Park in the West Side, this is big news since most tech giants want to be somewhere in the greater downtown area, they chose a West Side Neighborhood which possibly means more investment in the area

Quantum Computing Startup EeroQ Is Moving Its HQ to Chicago | Built In Chicago

EeroQ is the first company to sign a lease at The Terminal development in Humboldt Park.

www.builtinchicago.org

not only do we have downtown office space being bought up by major tech corporations and new tech startups, but Chicago also attracted 3 Toronto based tech startups to move into downtown. The Toronto Stock Exchange also opened a branch up in Chicago, in hopes of financing new startups that might have interest expanding operations into Toronto as well

3 Canadian startups setting up shop in Chicago

Three Canadian startups, all of which are headquartered in Toronto, have opened Chicago offices in the past month.

www.builtinchicago.org

Chicago Inno - Why the Toronto Stock Exchange opened an office in Chicago

The Toronto Stock Exchange has landed in the Windy City to connect with Midwest startups who might be interested in raising public capital in Canada.

www.bizjournals.com

London Financial Tech Startup company, Smart Pension also announced their US HQ will be in Chicago in the West Loop creating 30 jobs

This London fintech startup is opening its US headquarters in the West Loop | Built In Chicago

London-based fintech company picks Chicago as the location of its U.S. headquarters, plans to open an office in the West Loop this fall.

www.builtinchicago.org

 

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@Jaeger at least Chicago isn't rushing into the tech industry like Seattle and Austin did

 

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what's wrong with going into an industry especially if it is bolstering the local economy and creating jobs?

which city(s) are becoming major tech hubs that are considered rivals to that of Silicon Valley?

 

[Jaeger]

what's wrong with going into an industry especially if it is bolstering the local economy and creating jobs?

putting all your eggs into one basket (regarding any industry) is always a bad idea. at first, it will create jobs in the area, have people migrate to find employment, and such all the good things.
here's where it comes bad, relying on 1 industry is notoriously bad for any city/state. During COVID (2020), it ruptured the tourism industries that dominated San Francisco, New York City, Orlando and Las Vegas. those cities over rely on tourism to bring their city money and now, are finally diversifying their economy in case something like that happens again, however NYC and San Francisco both are selling or leasing properties to major corporations in hopes they can make up for all the money they lost within 2020.
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which city(s) are becoming major tech hubs that are considered rivals to that of Silicon Valley?

There are several, but here is a couple examples
NEW YORK CITY: NYC is a major powerhouse regarding being a tech hub, being 2nd to that of Silicon Valley. NYC has created 9,000+ startups. not only that Google bought out the 111 Eighth Avenue building in Chelsea Market, but last year Google also announced they will buy the entire St. John's Terminal building in Hudson Square. Facebook signed to lease 730,000sf in the Former Post Office Building, 1.5 million square feet in Hudson Yards, 300,000sf at 770 Broadway. Apple signed a lease for 336,000sf at 11 Penn Plaza, 60,000sf in 55 Hudson Yards, and 40,000sf in 100-104th in the Flatiron District, Amazon's AWS signed for a 335,000sf lease at the Hudson Yards, 336,000sf at the 5 Manhattan West Office, 630,000sf at the Lord & Taylor Building, 335,000sf at 410th Tenth Avenue, 400,000sf at the 7 West 34th St. Salesforce also built a new building at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, near Bryant Park.

AUSTIN: Austin is surging as a major tech hub, which shocked many including myself. while Austin, won't replace Silicon Valley or even surpass NYC as a tech hub. Google signs a lease for 150,000sf at a new 7 story building alongside building a new 35 story tower, Oracle built a new 5 story building, Facebook Company Meta signed a lease for 589,000sf in downtown, TikTok also signed a lease for 126,00sf at Colorado Street, Amazon's AWS announced they are planning to create 2,000 new tech jobs in the Austin area, Apple announced building a new $1 billion campus. and there is still more expanding in the Austin area.

 

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how does the other metropolitan areas of California compare to San Francisco regarding Tech Company expansions?

 

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how does the other metropolitan areas of California compare to San Francisco regarding Tech Company expansions?

some are so-so such as San Diego and others like Los Angeles are booming

SAN DIEGO: San Diego isn't really considered a major tech hub yet; however, it is maturing to become a major powerhouse within the next few years. as of right now, San Diego is just a major defence manufacturing hub and a major tourist city rivaling that of San Francisco. Google leases an entire building in downtown, they are also spending $1 billion just to acquire additional office space across San Diego County alone, Apple is leasing an entire building as well and planning to create another 5,000 jobs in the Metro area, Walmart Labs also signed a 30,000sf lease in Carlsbad. while San Diego does indeed have the potential, they just never really push through and acquire more tech jobs in the area.

LOS ANGELES: The Greater Los Angeles Area is quickly booming as California's 2nd tech hub. Google, Apple, YouTube, Microsoft, Twitter and Amazon AWS are all opening offices across the L.A. Suburbs, Google Fiber (Wi-Fi) is expanding across Orange County, and there is strong possibility they will expand it to Los Angeles County. there are also companies such as Salesforce, announcing they will lease/buy entire floors in the Los Angeles Area. we also became #3 at the largest tech hub in the US, following the Bay Area and NYC.

SANTA BARBARA: it's becoming a burgeoning force in the tech world, Sonos and Invoca have their HQ in Santa Barbara, Google opened a new Quantum AI Campus, and Amazon AWS has been buying and leasing properties all across Santa Barbara. they are still far behind compared to San Francisco and Los Angeles, but IMO in the future, they will surpass San Diego.

SACRAMENTO: Sacramento is way behind the first three in fact they are now finally getting onto the board. Sacramento is attracting mostly startups from the Silicon Valley area, Zennify which is partnered with Salesforce signed for a lease bringing 40 jobs into the area, Electro Scan and Rhombus Systems were created in Sacramento. if we were to compare them to the rest of Northern California (excluding Silicon Valley) they are actually doing pretty well.

 

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@Jaeger in the Western side of the US, which city has the most tourists visiting? outside California, which areas on the western side of the US a big tech hubs?

 

[Jaeger]

@Jaeger in the Western side of the US, which city has the most tourists visiting? outside California, which areas on the western side of the US a big tech hubs?

A). LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles had 50 million visitors in 2019, and in 2021 we had 30 million visitors. Los Angeles also just hosted the NASCAR Clash and Superbowl. in July we are to host the MLB All-Star game as well. in 2028, we are to host the 2028 Olympics, so Los Angeles is becoming a major tourist attraction, it just doesn't get the fame it deserves like San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas gets.
B). LAS VEGAS: in 2019 Las Vegas had 49 million visitors and in 2021 they had 32 million visitors. most of their tourism is thanks to all the casinos built in and around the Strip.
C). SEATTLE: in 2019 Seattle had 42 million visitors and in 2021 they had 23 million visitors; Seattle is another like Los Angeles, they get a lot of tourism but get ignored in a lot of cases. Seattle, like Los Angeles their tourism will constantly increase, since Seattle is developing a new waterfront park, but they also have good gems such as the Sky Needle, and more.
D). SAN DIEGO: in 2019 San Diego had 35 million visitors and in 2021 they had 25 million visitors. tourism is one of San Diego's biggest industries right after defence industry. San Diego has SeaWorld, Belmont Park Amusement Park, Balboa Park which has the Zoo, several museums, public gardens and more. San Diego is going to redevelop the Seaport area of the city that will include a new observation tower. The city is also proposing a major redevelopment in the Midway district which include a new Sports Arena.
E). SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco had 26 million visitors in 2019 and 16 million in 2021. San Francisco is considering California's "tourist city" but they have issues to really grow their tourist projection/expectations. San Francisco has several icons such as the Painted Lady houses, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Alcatraz and so many more. The city is planning a Treasure Island and Mission Rock megadevelopment. it's beautiful city, the "tourist city" is used often since tourism is the 2nd biggest industry in the city right after tech
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for tech
SEATTLE: Seattle is the largest tech hub on the West Coast outside California. Microsoft, Google and Amazon AWS specifically are the major 3 that have offices, campuses and more in and around Seattle. in 2019, Salesforce announced Seattle would open a 2nd regional HQ in Seattle, Facebook grew to 5,000 employees in the Seattle area alone, and from 2019-2021 Seattle's VC Funding has come up to a total of $16.8 billion in helping new Startups.

 

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how did Houston grow so quickly and become the largest city in Texas?

why is Austin the Texas Tech Hub?

is Dallas improving any?

 

[Jaeger]

how did Houston grow so quickly and become the largest city in Texas?

why is Austin the Texas Tech Hub?

is Dallas improving any?

Houston grew the size it did, because they relied on the major energy companies, primarily oil and gas, so many people wanting good paying work moved to Houston to work in these companies. however, Houston lost its place as 4th largest metroplex in the country and is now standing at #5. that's because people are getting fed up with the over reliance on the Energy Companies and booming medical industry but is barely doing any effort to attract other industries there.
however, Houston is starting to diversify in other industries, Google and Amazon AWS are opening offices there, Collins Aerospace is expanding in Houston, Amazon is opening 2 new warehouses, Houston is also home to a Ford manufacturing plant. however, compared to Austin-San Antonio and DFW, Houston has a way to catch up.
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Austin is becoming an emerging tech hub, simply for the fact of the affordable housing & universities they got there to attract new people into that workforce, not only is the City of Austin growing, but their entire metroplex. Georgetown, which is north of Austin just inked a major deal with CelLink to manufacture chips for electric vehicles, Austin has a Tesla production facility coming, San Antonio just got a new Arena alongside DeLorean manufacturing line for EVs, and their new HQ will be in San Antonio. Austin bagged several deals with Microsoft, Apple, Google and more for new buildings and campuses.
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Dallas is the more interesting one for me. Dallas is becoming Texas's 2nd fastest growing tech hub after Austin, with Google building a new data center, Salesforce built a new skyscraper in the city, Amazon AWS will create 600 jobs, built a data center and in talks of a 2nd one.

Dallas is also Texas's Financial hub, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi and others all have offices in the city. Dallas is Texas's largest tourist center as well, Dallas is also investing a lot of in several projects for tourism industry such as the Trinity Park project which will be larger than Central Park, their arts district just surpassed Houston's and Panther Island is currently being talked about and to be the area's largest entertainment district.
Dallas is the largest aerospace hub in Texas. Lockheed Martin manufacturers F-35s out of Fort Worth, Gulfstream manufactures the G600 out of Dallas, Bell Helicopters manufacture the AH-1Z Vipers there, Boeing is considering manufacturing the new T-7 trainer there.

Dallas is Texas's 2nd largest hub for energy companies. Kosmos Energy, however, with Dallas eyeing other industries to bolster their economy, a lot of energy companies are moving to Houston. ExxonMobil was the #1 to announce their departure from Dallas to Houston this year.
Dallas is also home to several Food and Beverage Companies, Kraft-Heinz, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, have production facilities across the Greater DFW area.

Dallas is also home to a major automotive industry, Peterbilt, Mercedes-Benz has a parts distribution center, Navistar is opening a production facility, General Motors has a production facility, and possibly others.

 

[Jaeger]

Presidio Tunnel Tops to Finally Open In Mid-July; New Battery Bluff Area Opens April 23

The new park spaces atop and around the Presidio Parkway tunnels, which have been under construction for over two years, will finally open to the public starting April 23, with the main Presidio Tunnel Tops opening on Sunday, July 17.

sfist.com

In total there are 20 new acres of park now attached to the Presidio, designed by renowned landscape architect James Corner, and his firm James Corner Field Operations — best known for designing The High Line in Manhattan. The 14-acre Presidio Tunnel Tops area will now be part of the national park that is the Presidio, adding new overlooks, trails, picnic areas, and kids' play areas.

Originally slated for an April opening, SFist reported earlier that the Presidio Trust had pushed this back. And now the main Tunnel Tops park, which looks out over Crissy Marsh and includes a renovated Field Station (an indoor kids' attraction) and Crissy Field Center, will open July 17. The park includes two lawn areas, Golden Gate Meadow and Anza Meadow, a grass-covered amphitheater area called Presidio Steps, a Campfire Circle, a Bluff Walk, and more.
Also, as SFist earlier reported, there will be new food concessions, with the primary one being something presumably Mexican-inspired from the restaurant group behind the former La Urbana on Divisadero and Colibri in Union Square. Restaurateur Eduardo Rallo and his newly rechristened Presmex Group inked a deal in January with the Presidio to take over both the Arguello space at the Presidio Officers Club, and a new space at the Presidio Tunnel Tops.

Before that, though, the six-acre Battery Bluff, also a new addition to the Presidio, will open to the public on April 23, just to the west of the larger Tunnel Tops park area.

As earlier reported, this area provides a direct greenway link between the Presidio and Crissy Field over the top of the western set of Presidio Parkway tunnels. It also includes new picnic areas, and a multi-use, accessible section of the Presidio Promenade trail extending from the Korean War Memorial to the Cavalry Bowl. And for the first time in 80 years, visitors will be able to access four newly restored historic batteries — Slaughter, Baldwin, Sherwood and Blaney.

According to a release, "Presidio Tunnel Tops is the result of a decade of community input and consultation with community organizations, health leaders, and park planners with the goal of making national park experiences easily accessible to all." And, "It was made possible by generous funding from donors to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy through a $98 million capital campaign, which was completed in 2019."

The July 17 opening will begin a whole season of family-friendly events that will extend through October. The event schedule has not yet been released.