CHCAGO | Thompson Center redevelopment | Jahn's MASTERPIECE will be saved!!!!!!!!!!!

[BrickellBased]

In before someone else reposts this...

https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/08/55832.html

Potential Completion Date Revealed For Thompson Center Redevelopment

The Prime Group will continue to manage the redevelopment as an article by Bisnow claims they are busy gutting much of the structure to prepare it for a new curtain wall. We also have observed the slow preservation and preparation of Jean Dubuffet’s Monument with Standing Beast to be moved to the Art Institute soon as well. The developer has also claimed the new office space will open a year later than the pre-Google plans called for, with an anticipated completion some time in 2026.

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by BrickellBased

How come? That's 3+ years. It can certainly be accomplished in that time.

certainly could....

[galleyfox]

Originally Posted by bnk

What's this? I'm paywalled on the Suntimes link

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columni...ecture-lee-bey

Demolition of Thompson Center facade, atrium for Google makeover approved by city

The $6 million demolition isn’t a complete surprise, but it possibly means the end of the building’s current blue, salmon and white color scheme, one of its signature features.

By Lee Bey Oct 17, 2023, 5:04pm CDT

The metal and glass exterior and interior atrium of the Thompson Center will be demolished as a prelude to Google’s $280 million rehab of the building.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The city has granted permits to demolish the exterior and atrium of the Thompson Center — a critical early step in Google’s $280 million efforts to remake the former state government building into the company’s Chicago headquarters.

Under permits issued Oct. 13 by the Department of Buildings, Google will — at minimum — remove the metal and glass skin on the 17-story structure at 100 W. Randolph St. and on its soaring, trademark atrium as well.

The demolition project is expected to cost $6 million, according to the permit.

...

.

The rest of the article just covers the history of the building.

Then a few comments from the local preservation groups.

Landmarks Illinois is realistic, and Preservation Chicago is in denial.

Landmarks Illinois CEO Bonnie McDonald, whose organization helped lead efforts to preserve the Thompson Center, said she has not seen the demolition permit, but allowed there are “known concerns about the energy efficiency of the building’s current non-insulated windows.”

Added McDonald: “While we realize losing the existing windows would change the character of the building and add to the waste stream, we also recognize the need and opportunity to make historic buildings more energy efficient — something Landmarks Illinois supports. We take in the big picture that the building is being reused, and that is a win.”

But Preservation Chicago said it wants Google and the city to protect the Thompson Center by granting the building landmark status.

[dropdeaded209]

Starship Chicago II is also now free to watch on Vimeo.

Runs 40 minutes, interviews with Evan Jahn, Mike Reschke, Bonnie McDonald, Ward Miller, Stewart Hicks, Maurice Cox, Elizabeth Blasius, and Phil Castillo.

There is also a segment with Ben Capp, former president of Wolverine Stone, who discusses the work that went into assembling the atrium floor--also likely to be ripped out as part of the renovation.

[le_brew]

WGN Radio 720
The Thompson Center, (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
"It's right in front of our eyes, and Google needs to make a deal and help the people of Chicago."- Roger Romanelli, Chicago-Cook County Coalition for Humane Migrant Management

https://wgnradio.com/the-althimer-sh...-for-migrants/

[SolarWind]

October 17, 2023



October 19, 2023



Just a current view. No work yet.

[ithakas]

It's supposed to be open as a site of the Chicago Architecture Biennial, in case anyone wants to see it again before renovations begin: https://chicagoarchitecturebiennial....ompson-center/

[Tom In Chicago]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...6056efa2&ei=30

Scoop: Thompson Center demolition to begin in February

Demolition on parts of the James R. Thompson Center will begin early next year.

. . .

[twister244]

I read this as:
- They are going to keep the structure in tact and re-do the glass, yes?

If so, not sure that's a bad thing?

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by twister244

I read this as:
- They are going to keep the structure in tact and re-do the glass, yes?

If so, not sure that's a bad thing?

The new vision glass will be clear, so the polarizing blue and salmon scheme is going away. Depends on your POV if that's good or bad.

I will say that the demo will be something interesting to follow and document, since there's not a lot of new towers breaking ground in 2024.

[Jstange059]

All the salmon and blue panels could have gone well with the colors of Google's logo in my opinion. The building will still stand out due to its distinctive shape, but I hope they don't make it otherwise look generic and let it retain some of its PoMo flair. Also I hope the atrium will remain open to the public.

[Zapatan]

Is this the current plan? It's from less than 2 months ago so I'm assuming yes...

https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/10/tho...-the-loop.html

EDIT: Sorry for poor quality / resizing. Not sure how to prevent that.

[r18tdi]

Nope, that's an old pre-2021 conceptual rendering produced before Mike Reschke and Google got involved.
They claimed the design has changed substantially since then, but nothing has been made public yet.

[arCHItecture_]

Urbanize shared new renderings of Google's redevelopment!!

https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/g...-redevelopment

[Kngkyle]

This is the most exciting and impactful development in the city right now. With Google steering the redevelopment I don't expect this to get VE'd either. The renderings look promising.

[sentinel]

Love it! Modern, refreshed, and even more accessible somehow, while retaining the most important aspects of the original design. And the fact that the original architecture firm is doing the work only makes it feel even more appropriate.

Do we know what is happening with the Dubuffet sculpture currently in the plaza?

[r18tdi]

Definitely an improvement over the half-baked earlier renderings. That mezzanine just above the plaza level looks interesting, but somewhat lessens the impact of the atrium during the entry sequence. I would like to see more of the interior and the atrium treatment specifically.

Originally Posted by sentinel

Do we know what is happening with the Dubuffet sculpture currently in the plaza?

Headed to the Art Institute.

[ithakas]

Looks great.

The Dubuffet was originally going to be relocated to the State's new offices at 115 S. LaSalle, but it appears it's now being donated to the Art Institute: https://www.costar.com/article/39777...nt-nears-start

[r18tdi]

Here's the official blog post announcement from Google, in case folks were curious:

https://blog.google/inside-google/li...ompson-center/

[Mr Downtown]

Looks like Urbanize took those images from Google's blog, which gives some additional brief description and context.