Updated renderings and an opening timeline have been revealed for the redevelopment of the Thompson Center at 100 West Randolph Street in The Loop. Construction is well underway, and commercial space leasing has begun as of earlier this year. Since our last coverage, the design team has made changes to the massive internal atrium to preserve original elements.
Rendering of Thompson Center Redevelopment via Google
The massive block-wide structure reaches 17 floors in height and was designed by famed architect Helmut Jahn. It is Jahn’s architecture firm that is also working on the redevelopment, addressing major climate control issues along with adding outdoor terraces on setbacks and re-cladding the building with newer multi-pane glass.
Rendering of Thompson Center Redevelopment via Google
The redevelopment is being led by The Prime Group and Capri Investments, with Google set to occupy the lower nine levels of office space, which received an interiors permit earlier this year. Cutting through the center of the building is its massive full-height atrium, which will officially remain as a public space. The iconic flooring rosette at its center will now also be preserved.
Rendering of Thompson Center Redevelopment via Google
A cascading staircase with various levels of seating will connect the ground level with the sunken lower floor where the rosette sits. This will be surrounded by new retail space and expanded seating areas for all to enjoy. In total, the building will contain 60,000 square feet of commercial space spread across 14 spaces within the two lower levels.
Rendering of Thompson Center Redevelopment via Google
The development team is also working on leasing the upper levels of the structure, offering sweeping views of the surrounding buildings and their own terraces. Work also includes a reconstruction of the front plaza with a new art piece by Sanford Biggers. The adjoining CTA station has also begun its major renovation to align with the center’s reopening.
Google announced the center will no longer open in late 2027 and instead open to all in 2028.
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Why redevelop?
What is wrong with the original Thompson Center?
Though there are definitely some changes I disagree with from a preservation standpoint– the coloring on the glass and tiles outside, for example– the Thompson Center has always been plagued with issues. The atrium and glass design made HVAC incredibly expensive every year. Replacing this glass with a more temperature proof material will save them a ton.
What changes have been made in the plans to the atrium to better preserve it?
All of that high-modernist architecture, and reconstruction, and they haul in a few patterned carpets and library work tables with potted ferns to make the space look homey? Seriously faulty.
It was a terrible building from a functional standpoint—and good architecture must work for the people in the building—this Jahn design—like so many of his other projects (Potsdammer Platz in Berlin comes to mind—ask Beeliners what they think of that! So glad they’re saving the good bits and reworking the problematic HVAC issues. Will be a welcome restoration when it is done.