The sale of the iconic Thompson Center in downtown Chicago is being finalized with Google planning to occupy office space following extensive renovations by the new owner. Google will take over the entire building once the new owners, JRTC Holdings, renovate the Thompson Center to the tech giant's specifications. — CBS Chicago
With its future sorted, the Helmut Jahn-designed building is here to stay. A sale agreement with JRTC Holdings was finalized in March; however, today’s announcement includes revisions to the agreement and the addition of Google as the primary tenant.
Originally, Illinois was set to receive an initial payment of $70 million for the property and would retain 425,000 square feet of the office space. Now, the entire space will be purchased for $105 million. The state will use $75 million of this total to purchase a site at 115 S. LaSalle Street where approximately 1,800 state workers from the Thompson Center will move.
JRTC Holdings will now renovate the building, and once complete, Google will purchase the site. The renovations will reportedly respect the original design of the building, with changes aiming to make the structure more energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive. Google plans to begin moving into the revamped Thompson Center starting in 2026.
5 Comments
Wonder which firm Google will hire to renovate the building? They've favored the BIG-Heatherwick combo recently but Foster delivered a fine, if conservative, office building for them in London.
News stories report that the original architect's firm, Jahn, has been hired for the project.
I wandered delightedly through the atrium again a week or so ago. One of the best urban spaces I know. Such a cool, cool building!
A rare good news story. Common sense, who knew?
“… will make the structure more energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive“
Hmmm. What if it already is . . .you made it so by not tearing it down.
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