Full Breakdown
Google Unveils Updated Plans for the Thompson Center Renovation
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Revitalizing the Iconic Loop Landmark
Google released new renderings showing a reworked 17-story atrium, a public plaza with terraced seating, expanded retail, and a 30-foot sculpture by Sanford Biggers. The redesign preserves the building’s black-and-white marble mosaic and soaring atrium while adding a cascading staircase, new restaurants, and spaces for community programming. Google says the renovated James R. Thompson Center will open to roughly 2,000 employees, other tenants, and the public in 2028.
Historical Context and Ownership
The Helmut Jahn-designed Thompson Center opened in 1985 as a state office building. Preservation Chicago listed it repeatedly on its “7 Most Endangered” list, urging a retrofit rather than demolition. In 2022, developers Michael Reschke and Quintin Primo, operating as Prime | Capri Interests, bought the property from the State of Illinois for $105 million. Google announced that same year it would assume the lease and transform the structure into a regional headquarters.
Project Timeline
- 2022 – Google announces intent to take over the Thompson Center after its purchase by Prime | Capri Interests.
- 2024 – Demolition begins; the original glass façade is replaced with triple-paned glass to improve daylight, energy use, and bird safety.
- 2024 – The Jean Dubuffet “Monument with Standing Beast” sculpture is removed for storage.
- 2026 – Initial completion target set for 2026; later revised.
- 2028 – Planned public opening of the renovated building.
Design Elements and Public Art
- Sculpture: A 30-foot-tall work titled *Vector* will stand on the plaza near the Randolph Street entrance. Biggers draws its pattern from 19th-century quilts held by the Illinois State Museum and the Chicago History Museum.
- Atrium: The original rosette will be restored with new terrazzo; the elevator glass wall and cabs will return to their historic appearance.
- Facade: Triple-paned glass improves natural light and reduces bird collisions.
- Space Allocation: The 1.2-million-square-foot building will host Google offices, retail, restaurants, and publicly accessible gathering areas.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, praised the preservation of the mosaic and atrium, noting the renovation aligns with the organization’s long-standing vision for the building.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Designed for the day-to-day as much as for special moments, the atrium and plaza brings a curated mix of quality food, distinctive retail, and space for seasonal events,” — Mike Miller, Preservation Chicago
- “How excited we are to attract more business and retail, but also to create more of a community that all of the new residents coming to the Loop can enjoy,” — Dr. McKinney, Chicago Loop Alliance
What’s Next
Google plans to install Biggers’s *Vector* sculpture in the plaza next year and to unveil the student-designed artwork on the retail concourse this fall. The company will continue leasing retail space and finalizing interior finishes ahead of the 2028 opening, after which the atrium and plaza will host community events and serve as a hub connected to six CTA “L” lines.