On Chicago's Northwest Side, a long-quiet slice of the old Marshall Field's warehouse has been reborn as a full-blown film and television hub. The Fields Studios media campus in Hermosa now packs soundstages, production offices and event space into the Diversey-Pulaski corridor, and it is already drawing exhibitions and bookings that reach well beyond the neighborhood.
Located at 4120 W. Diversey Ave., The Fields is owned and developed by Knickpoint Ventures and bills itself as Chicago's first purpose-built media campus, with nine soundstages and hundreds of thousands of square feet of production and office space, according to The Fields Studios. Stages range from smaller 5,000-square-foot rooms up to 18,000-square-foot spaces and can be combined for larger sets, a configuration pitched to streaming series and feature shoots.
Built For Production, Not Just A Pretty Facade
According to Engineering News-Record, the campus covers roughly 23 acres and includes about 125,000 square feet of soundstage space alongside renovated office, mill and support areas, with Gensler as lead designer and Bulley & Andrews as general contractor. The build leans into studio-grade systems: silent HVAC, hefty stage power and unobstructed ceiling grids so crews can run multiple, technically demanding shoots under one roof. The idea is to cut down on the logistical headaches that come with bouncing around city locations.
City Cash, State Support And Big Job Promises
Preservation Chicago reported the project secured $10 million in public grants - $5 million from the city's Community Development program and $5 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - as part of a larger push to grow studio infrastructure in Illinois. The developer and city officials have projected thousands of production and service jobs and substantial outside spending, according to Business Wire, though organizers acknowledge the specifics on hiring and contracting are still to come.
Neighbors Worry About Who Gets Left Out
Not everyone in Hermosa is rolling out the red carpet. As Block Club Chicago reported, community groups have warned that a major studio could speed up gentrification and drive up property-tax bills for longtime residents. They have pushed for clearer local-hiring guarantees and stronger housing protections. Ald. Felix Cardona Jr. backed the project at approval hearings, arguing the campus would function as an economic engine rather than a displacement machine.
Where The Fields Fits In Chicago's Studio Scene
Industry coverage notes that The Fields adds purpose-built stage space but does not match the total stage count of older complexes like Cinespace in North Lawndale. Instead, it leans on modern technical specs and campus-style amenities. Reporting from Screen Global Production and a segment on CBS News Chicago highlighted how the mix of stages, office space and transportation access could make Chicago more attractive to episodic and streaming producers.
Bookings, Training And What Happens Next
The Fields is already taking bookings and posts detailed stage specs and contact information on its site, with production teams able to reach the campus through the booking portal and main office listed on the contact page. Developers have said they plan workforce-development initiatives aimed at training local residents for on-set and technical roles, a pledge community groups say they will be watching closely as projects roll in; see the campus contact page at The Fields Studios.
For Hermosa and nearby neighborhoods, The Fields is both a rare industrial reuse and a test of how large-scale cultural development translates into local opportunity. The real verdict will come if, and when, the promised hiring, contracts and small-business spillover match the studio's technical firepower.
