The Chicago Department of Buildings has recently issued a demolition permit for the Thompson Center, a notable architectural landmark, which will be overhauled as part of Google's expansion in the city, reports the Chicago Tribune. This permit authorizes the removal of the building's interior and the facade, a key step in Google's plan to convert the Thompson Center into its Chicago headquarters.
The former state office building had been acquired by real estate developer Michael Reschke of JRTC Holdings in July 2022. Subsequently, Google entered into a "build-to-suit agreement" with JRTC, under which it would purchase the property following the completion of renovations. As previously noted in a Chicago Tribune article, Google is projected to occupy the building by 2026.
The Thompson Center, conceived by renowned architect Helmut Jahn, holds status as a major city landmark, albeit a contentious one. Given its history of challenges regarding cost cutbacks during construction, use of low-quality materials, and maintenance problems, previous Illinois governors Rod Blagojevich and Bruce Rauner sought to sell the property for redevelopment. However, Google, which paid $105 million for the building in 2022 and planned to convert it into a hub for 2,000 employees, finally gave the beleaguered structure a new lease on life, as detailed in a Chicago Sun-Times report.
Despite the progress made with the issuance of the demolition permit, concerns emerged about the potential loss of the Thompson Center's historical and architectural aesthetics. Preservation Chicago, who has been actively opposing this loss, has long advocated for the Center's preservation. Executive Director Ward Miller lauded Google's decision to not demolish the building completely, but aired his disappointment with the company's lack of transparency about the redevelopment process, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Miller emphasized the need for the "sensitive repurposing" of the Thompson Center and appealed to local officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, to persuade the relevant parties to preserve the Thompson Center's distinctive elements. He expressed his hopes that the new development would retain its original features—the plaza, the colors, and the atrium—without sacrificing its historical significance, according to the same Chicago Tribune report.
