CenTrio joins initiative to bring low-carbon infrastructure to Metropolis Pointe
CHICAGO, IL — The real estate investment firm set to acquire the 6.59- acre lot adjacent to Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center and the $3.8 billion Bronzeville Lakefront megadevelopment project is advancing efforts on upgrading the site’s infrastructure and zoning to accommodate its low-carbon, tech-oriented mixed-use campus and luxury high-rise residential tower plans. Griffin Venture Group (GVG) has begun formal discussions concerning its Metropolis Pointe (MP) development with city planning officials and local utility operators regarding the site’s zoning and entitlements and has assembled a team to begin designing the “city’s first next-gen mixed-use lifestyle campus” in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. “Our team is focused on delivering a myriad of innovative and sustainable economic solutions that will serve as assets to the broader Chicago economy and a compelling resurgence to one of the nation’s most historically significant communities,” said GVG CEO JC Griffin.
The proposed multi-phased development includes a high-rise tower with over 600 residential units comprised of workforce, market-rate and luxury condominium housing. Conceptual plans present a 16,800 SF “sky veranda” amenity on the top floor of the tower, set to offer unprecedented panoramic views of the city’s skyline and lakefront. Retail is envisioned to anchor the residential structure alongside a promenade positioned on the west facing frontage of the site off Martin L. King Jr. Drive. Additional site plan documents present a 185,000 SF digital infrastructure facility, a 26,000 SF distributed energy plant, a covered multi-story parking structure and 120,000 square feet of flex space that includes 36,000 square feet of Class A specialty office space intended for the project’s Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Institute (AIPI)—a dedicated smart lab integration that will facilitate research, development and training on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. In recent weeks, GVG has held several high-level concept meetings with City planning officials and local utility providers to discuss the project’s programming, density and sustainability objectives. “We’ve set out to achieve heightened efficiencies by incorporating a cogeneration energy system into the project that will significantly lower its overall emissions while simultaneously reducing utility costs for the tower’s residents and enhancing the long-term performance and value of the entire Metropolis Pointe complex,” said Griffin. “We intend to work closely with the City and local utilities to construct the required infrastructure that will help facilitate continued smart city development within the submarket.”
To advance these goals, GVG is pursuing a partnership with CenTrio, a national leader in district energy, to design, develop, and operate the project’s next-generation distributed energy plant. CenTrio operates the largest ice thermal storage system in North America and serves more than 53 million square feet of commercial, residential, hospitality, retail, entertainment, and critical process customers in downtown Chicago. With data centers and digital infrastructure as a rapidly expanding focus area, CenTrio views the Metropolis Pointe collaboration as a natural extension of its expertise. “We see our participation in Metropolis Pointe as an exceptional opportunity to create an innovative and sustainable energy node in a market we know extremely well,” said Deena Morgan, CenTrio’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. “GVG has presented a clear and thoughtful vision for how low-carbon infrastructure will enable the project to meet its decarbonization goals, and we look forward to contributing to the success of this landmark development.”
GVG is preparing to submit its entitlement package this month, marking the beginning of a formal review and analysis process by city planning officials to advance the 1.4 million- square-foot mixed-use development proposal. The project team will also be further engaging with neighborhood residents in the coming weeks through community meetings held in collaboration with 4th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson’s office. The development is represented by attorneys David Reifman and Jesse Dodson of Chicago-based law firm Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres, who are leading the project’s entitlement efforts.
“In the near future, we will be sharing additional details with the community on the multiple aspects of this impact driven project. It’s important for all stakeholders to understand the overarching vision for Metropolis Pointe is to deliver sophisticated and attainable modern housing solutions for Chicago’s working professionals and a new vibrant third place on the city’s Near South Side. We intend to deliver this with superior connectivity to premier hospitality and holistic wellness amenities, high-performance infrastructure and state-of- the-art technology to best position Metropolis Pointe and the greater Bronzeville community for resilient economic prominence for years to come,” said Griffin.
About Griffin Venture Group
Griffin Venture Group (GVG) is a family governed, privately held diversified alternative asset management and real estate development firm. The company is committed to enhancing the human experience and delivering superior, risk-adjusted value to its stakeholders. It’s mission is driven by innovation, scalability, and a bold vision to create transformational impact—championing American excellence while improving the quality of life in the communities it serves.
About CenTrio Energy
CenTrio is an industry leading sustainable energy provider, P3 partner, developer, investor, and operator of campus utility and district energy systems across North America. With the largest district energy portfolio in the U.S., CenTrio owns and operates critical utility infrastructures and provides comprehensive energy solutions to university campuses, healthcare systems, cities, and communities. CenTrio owns and operates intelligent thermal energy systems that generate, store, and share energy with key assets in Chicago, Seattle, Denver, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, Syracuse, Los Angeles, Portland, and Ypsilanti.
PRESS CONTACTS
Griffin Venture Group
info@griffinventuregroup.com
CenTrio Energy
deena.morgan@centrioenergy.com