By Ryan Wangman for BizNow
Google released new renderings and details of its plans to redevelop the James R. Thompson Center into its Chicago headquarters Wednesday, revealing it aims to maintain the historic building’s iconic design while making contemporary improvements.
The company will work with the building’s original architects at Jahn to help modernize the building while keeping its original character. The tech giant confirmed that the Thompson Center’s signature 17-story, light-filled atrium will remain.
“When we set out to redevelop the Thompson Center with The Prime Group and Capri Investment Group, it was important to us that we honor the postmodern legacy of the building,” Karen Sauder, Google Chicago site lead and global clients and agency solutions president, said in a release. “Not only is it a sustainable way to create offices, but it also honors the history of the communities we call home.”
Construction activity at the Thompson Center will begin early next year, starting with fencing going up around the perimeter.
To make the building more sustainable, Google pledged to upgrade it to a LEED Platinum, all-electric building when it bought the Thompson Center last year.
