A major step toward positioning Illinois as a leader in advanced computing and technology manufacturing is underway. Related Midwest and CRG (Clayco’s real estate and development arm) have officially acquired land to begin construction on the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), a state-of-the-art research and development campus anchored by quantum computing company PsiQuantum. The site, located on the former U.S. Steel South Works property along the South Side lakefront, will undergo a transformation from historic industrial foundry to next-generation technology ecosystem.
Spanning 128 acres, the IQMP aims to become a global center for quantum computing, microelectronics research, prototyping, and commercialization. At its core will be a cutting-edge cryogenic cooling facility, vital to operating quantum processors that must be maintained at temperatures near absolute zero.
Revitalizing a Landmark Industrial Site
Once the largest steel foundry in the world, the South Works site has remained undeveloped since the plant closed in 1992. Its scale, access to freight and port infrastructure, and proximity to dense academic and research institutions make it an ideal location for a technology cluster requiring significant power capacity, land availability, and security controls.
Quantum Insider reports that the IQMP redevelopment brings new life to land with deep historical ties to Chicago’s manufacturing workforce. This project signals a shift from legacy heavy industry to advanced digital manufacturing and high-tech innovation, reconnecting the site to its roots in large-scale industrial production—while looking to the future.
Design and Construction Framework
Phase One, covering approximately 30 acres, is slated for completion in 2027. It will include:
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Core cryogenic cooling infrastructure
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High-security quantum equipment laboratories
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Research and testing halls for advanced semiconductor and microelectronics fabrication
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Office and collaboration spaces for university, government, and private industry partners
Clayco will lead construction as design-builder, ensuring an integrated delivery model that coordinates engineering, architecture, procurement, and field execution. Lamar Johnson Collaborative is serving as lead architect, creating a campus that blends high-performance industrial facilities with collaborative research spaces.
WSP is providing comprehensive engineering services, including:
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Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design
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Cryogenic systems engineering
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Civil site and drainage planning
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Information technology integration
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Structural engineering
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Energy performance consulting
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Physical and cyber security design
This multidisciplinary approach is essential for a development where thermal control, vibration management, electromagnetic shielding, and cleanroom requirements must be executed to tight tolerances.
“The impact that this project will have on our nation, state, and city is immense. The entire team has risen to the challenge and opportunity. From utility coordination for cryogenic temperatures, to structural and civil engineers, and environmental experts, we functioned like a team of researchers working together to solve a problem and explore the best solution for a new type of project.”
Senior Vice President & Project Principal for WSP | Matt Herman
Understanding the Cryogenic Cooling Facility
Quantum computing hardware operates using qubits that must maintain stable quantum states. These states collapse under heat or environmental disturbance. To prevent this, quantum processors must be cooled to near absolute zero—colder than outer space.
The IQMP cryogenic plant will include:
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Large-scale refrigeration towers and helium compression systems
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Vacuum-insulated piping networks
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Thermal shielding layers to isolate qubit processors
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Continuous monitoring systems to prevent micro-fluctuations in temperature
The complexity of this system means construction will require precision installation and testing, alongside robust backup power and pressure control infrastructure.
Workforce and Construction Trades Involved
The IQMP will generate sustained employment throughout design, construction, commissioning, and ongoing facility operation. Key trades and professional roles include:
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Site Preparation and Remediation Crews – clearing former industrial foundations, grading, and soil stabilization
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Civil and Structural Engineers – designing high-load laboratory flooring and vibration-controlled slab systems
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Concrete Formworkers and Rebar Installers – constructing heavy mechanical and equipment foundations
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Steel Erectors and Ironworkers – assembling structural frames and long-span industrial bays
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Mechanical and Cryogenic Systems Technicians – installing highly specialized refrigeration and thermal control systems
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Electricians and Power Distribution Teams – delivering high-voltage grid connections and uninterrupted power systems
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HVAC and Controls Specialists – integrating building automation, air handling, and cleanroom-grade filtration
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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Welders – fabricating vacuum lines, helium transfer piping, and cooling conduits
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Fire Protection and Life Safety Installers – ensuring strict code compliance for research facilities
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IT and Network Infrastructure Teams – wiring secure data systems across labs and administrative spaces
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Interior Carpenters, Drywall Crews, and Finish Trades – completing offices, meeting rooms, and common spaces
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Landscape and Hardscape Crews – constructing access roads, pedestrian paths, and green buffer zones
This mix of specialized and traditional trades underscores the scale and technical depth of the project.
Strategic Economic Impact
The IQMP positions Illinois at the forefront of quantum computing research and semiconductor manufacturing resiliency. The campus aligns with national priorities to:
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Strengthen secure domestic supply chains
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Expand high-skilled technology employment
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Deepen research partnerships with universities such as UChicago, Northwestern, UIUC, and Argonne National Laboratory
By transforming the South Works site into a technology campus, Chicago stands to attract global investment and new industry, reversing decades of post-industrial inactivity along the southeast lakefront.
