Derrick Rose wants to beautify his hometown.

The Chicago native and former NBA player, whose jersey was retired at the United Center on Jan. 24, 2026, wants to continue giving back to the city. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Rose recently launched a family-owned and operated flower shop. The venture was driven by his spirit to show gratitude for those who supported him throughout his career. After he retired, he sent roses to loved ones to thank them for their part in the journey as an athlete.

“That moment planted the seed for something bigger,” he said on the shop’s website. “Roses have always meant more to me than something simply beautiful. Not just because it’s my last name, but because to me, they represent love and appreciation.”

1901 Project

Beyond the flower shop, Rose intends to be part of building the city’s future. While he didn’t go into detail, in conversation with Forbes’ Jabari Young, he shared that he will be part of the 1901 Project. This multi-phased mixed-use development project is designed by global design collective, Rios, in collaboration with the United Center Joint Venture Group, per the design collective’s website. The project will include housing, commercial office space, a hotel, retail, and entertainment on Chicago’s West Side.

“So when you think about construction, you think about beautifying Chicago,” Rose told Forbes. “You think about, on the South Side where I’m from in Englewood, it still looks the same way. And every time I used to drive back, come in town and drive through my neighborhood, I used to shed a tear because it still looks the same way. So it made me think like, ‘Man, if anything’s going to change, it’s going to have to be us changing it.'”

“So I have a flower shop. I have construction where in which we’re working on the 1901 Project. The 1901 Project is the project in Chicago where they’re building up the west side of Chicago. They putting $7 billion into the project and it’s probably the biggest project there since the World’s Fair,” Rose added.

Real Estate Class

Rose told Forbes he has a contract for the second phase of the project, but couldn’t elaborate further. He did reveal he is looking to expand his knowledge in development and will be taking a real estate class with his friend for a year.