For over a century, the South Works steel mill stood as a cornerstone of Chicago’s industrial might, fueling the local economy and shaping the South Chicago community. After operating for 25 years on the north branch of the Chicago River, in 1882 the mill was moved to the mouth of the Calumet River to take advantage of Lake Michigan’s shipping routes, abundant labor, and freshwater supply. At its peak, South Works employed over 20,000 people, giving rise to a thriving neighborhood built around steel production. However, as global steel markets shifted, the mill downsized through the 1970s and ultimately closed in 1992 and the site remained unused for over three decades. 

Now, PsiQuantum is helping to deliver a new chapter of innovation to the South Side, establishing a cutting-edge facility that will create jobs and economic opportunity. Just as steel once built the physical infrastructure of America, quantum computing will help build the future of technology as we usher in the fifth industrial revolution. Our presence in South Works signals not just a revitalization of the site, but a bridge between Chicago’s storied past and its future as a hub for scientific and technological breakthroughs. With quantum computing poised to tackle some of the world’s most complex problems, PsiQuantum’s partnership with the IQMP will make this historic location a center of new innovation, opportunity, and progress.