(Above) Rendering supplied by Google of what the Thompson Center will look like after a renovation that will start early next year. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

18-Dec-23 – Google says its renovation of the James R. Thompson Center will “bring the design into the 21st century while maintaining its iconic form.”

The tech giant has made public renderings of their vision of the 38-year-old building they will renovate and then purchase. Construction will start “early next year,” says Google, starting with fencing going up around the perimeter of the building.

The postmodern-style building was designed by Chicago architect Helmut Jahn, whose architectural firm, Jahn Architecture, is working with Google on the renovation. Google is keeping the 17-story atrium and CTA stations, and adding more food and beverage retail space, along with “seasonal activations” of the plaza. The new Thompson Center, says Google, will be “more sustainable,” operating entirely on carbon-free energy by 2030.