McCormick Place unveils west wing

The massive $882 million McCormick Place West opens today, eight months ahead of schedule and under budget, convention officials said.

Mayor Richard Daley and a host of city and state officials will cut the ceremonial ribbon this morning at the 470,000-square-foot building.

Building construction was on budget and the overall expense for the project was under budget, said Juan Ochoa, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

"A lot of public projects come in late and over budget," Ochoa said. "But we can be proud that we're on budget and under-schedule."

The building will have a $1.3 billion direct economic impact in Chicago and create 25,000 direct and indirect jobs, Ochoa said.

Ochoa said the early bookings showed strong interest.

To get an idea of the size of the addition, without its antennas, the Sears Tower could fit lengthwise into the West Building, officials said.

Soldier Field's playing field could easily fit within its 100,000 square-foot Skyline Ballroom, officials said.

A major selling point, Ochoa said, will be its 61 meeting rooms.

Its rooftop garden can accommodate 800-guest receptions and is certified as built to the green specifications of a leading environmental organization.

A skybridge connects the Skyline Ballroom to the main North Building's entrance.

McCormick now has an east, west, north and south buildings -- the southern being the biggest with 800,000 square feet.

Ochoa said a 600-bed hotel tower is expected to break ground early next year. It would be north of the current 800-bed Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.