Addendum:

>> First test chip tape-out (180nm) is claimed to be a mere 5 days away

> Took a little longer:
> https://openpowerfoundation.org/blog/libre-soc-180nm-power-isa-asic-submitted-to-imec-for-fabrication/

Years later, the first public pictures I'm aware of:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libre-SOC#Hardware_implementation
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LibreSOC_M7_7945_2692_01.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LibreSOC_M7_7945_2692_02.jpg