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

[MAC123]

Originally Posted by rgarri4

Stewart Hicks recently made a nice video explaining its value, its ugliness, and the "indoor plaza" design of the interior.

• Video Link

Love that guys stuff. Interesting video, glad to see the structure will continue to stand, even if it's changed in ways.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by MAC123

Love that guys stuff. Interesting video, glad to see the structure will continue to stand, even if it's changed in ways.

I went to undergrad school with Stewart Hicks! Very intelligent and awesome guy.

[left of center]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I mean, Union Station was always supposed to be expanded vertically. It's looked awkward since 1925. Hopefully they build something eventually. I agree that the last Goettsch design from 2017 was awful (just a single mass) but a twin tower scheme like the above image would be nice. Obviously that curtain wall is totally wrong but you could definitely do a nice facade system with terracotta, limestone or copper...

If Union Station has an addition added on, it should be the original plan by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White.


Source: chicago.curbed.com

[rivernorthlurker]

Originally Posted by left of center

If Union Station has an addition added on, it should be the original plan by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White.


Source: chicago.curbed.com

It would be amazing if they endeavored to 'restore' the original design as close to this historical plan as possible. It's nice to dream.

[k1052]

Originally Posted by bcp

^^^ thank the lord that never happened....leave US alone, add height to surrounding parcels

It's always looked squat and that should be fixed...just not with anything that's been proposed yet. Either go conventional with something that will blend with the base or go nuts on something wild.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by k1052

It's always looked squat and that should be fixed...just not with anything that's been proposed yet. Either go conventional with something that will blend with the base or go nuts on something wild.

The barbarians are at the gate (again ) just like the Thompson center US's big open spaces are part of the charm, part of a need that is filled.

Ornamentation that serves no purpose whatsoever.


What's this ? nothing there - just for show.


And look at all the wasted space - not even a few birds ( which the Thompson center does have )

[kolchak]

I'm not a fan of removing the bold colors from the design. Its not how the building was intended to look. I usually detest when LED color changing lights are added to any already built structure but I hope that they will incorporate them here. Jahn's Sony Center style

[OhioGuy]

Originally Posted by kolchak

I'm not a fan of removing the bold colors from the design. Its not how the building was intended to look. I usually detest when LED color changing lights are added to any already built structure but I hope that they will incorporate them here. Jahn's Sony Center style

If in a few decades that generation begins to question why the original coloring was eliminated, they'll have the opportunity to change it back. The structure will still be there. Much easier to bring back the coloring than it would be to ever replicate this structure if it was torn down.

(admittedly I haven't been much of a fan of it and didn't care one way or the other if it was preserved or torn down)

[woodrow]

^^This 100%
It is a (post)modern agora. And it worked. I was frequently there, mainly for the post office and food court, but also to just look at the building and to see what was going on. It was always programmed with entertainment or art or educational presentations. There were always hundreds of people coming and going, to the DMV or another state department, the stores, the food court, or just to hang out. Tons of tourists as well. Mainly European or Asian.

After 911 it took a hit, in that they had to start blocking off the the areas around the elevators and over the past decade it seems like there has been less programmed and of course the crappy upkeep hasn't helped.

[Mr Downtown]

^I think you're conflating two things: outdoor spaces where citizens can petition for redress and indoor spaces that symbolize the majesty and power of government. We don't have protest marches inside capitol rotundas; they're on the steps or adjacent grounds. Same here: picketers march around the Thompson Center's plaza, not its interior atrium.

The concept behind the Thompson Center was to open up government by integrating it with a space clearly welcoming to the public—even if they don't need a license or certificate or have a meeting that day. Thus the airy atrium, the post office and CTA entrance, and the three-level retail center. Alas, in 1980 we hadn't yet learned the lesson about indoor retail just not working in center cities, so the mall never succeeded at bringing people in, and then 9/11 (and a string of suicides) changed the way people were allowed to interact with the building.

[left of center]

What's the deal with the 2 story building across Clark from 203 N LaSalle? I believe the address is 201 N Clark. If any property in the immediate area needs to be redeveloped, its definitely that one!

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by left of center

What's the deal with the 2 story building across Clark from 203 N LaSalle? I believe the address is 201 N Clark. If any property in the immediate area needs to be redeveloped, its definitely that one!

The ultimate plan is replacement. I do not know the status of this

http://www.th-partners.com/201nclark

[le_brew]

I anxiously check for updates on this; wasn’t it supposed to start this year? I’ve checked Jahn/ for new renderings, details, etc. Nothing to date.

[ithakas]

According to this thread a newsletter I read linked to the state just moved their offices out less than a month ago, so would probably hang tight for a bit:

https://twitter.com/anacaprana/statu...98808873488386

I'm guessing Jahn won't release any more renderings for a project this high-profile and meaningful to them until the time is right.

[galleyfox]

Ummm… what is this? I know Google has been buying real estate, but I was not exactly expecting the Thompson Center to be part of their portfolio.

Google in Talks To Buy Chicago’s Thompson Center
https://www.costar.com/article/56463...hompson-center



https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkel...h=6b6a4ffcd866

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/04/13/...22-mapped.html

The plans, which also include expanding Google’s footprint in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C., will add at least 10,000 new full-time jobs, he indicated.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/...realestate/amp

[SIGSEGV]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

Ummm… what is this? I know Google has been buying real estate, but I was not exactly expecting the Thompson Center to be part of their portfolio.

Google in Talks To Buy Chicago’s Thompson Center
https://www.costar.com/article/56463...hompson-center



https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkel...h=6b6a4ffcd866

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/04/13/...22-mapped.html


https://www.architecturaldigest.com/...realestate/amp

Knowing some Googlers, if this happens, I bet some would move into a pedway-connected building so they never have to go outside.

[BuildThemTaller]

Originally Posted by galleyfox

Ummm… what is this? I know Google has been buying real estate, but I was not exactly expecting the Thompson Center to be part of their portfolio.

Google in Talks To Buy Chicago’s Thompson Center
https://www.costar.com/article/56463...hompson-center



https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkel...h=6b6a4ffcd866

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/04/13/...22-mapped.html


https://www.architecturaldigest.com/...realestate/amp

ChiCAgo IS iN a doWnWarD SpIRal

[Randomguy34]

Well, the Thompson Center certainly has plenty of open floor plates

[Handro]

It would be a pretty sweet building for a tech company, especially since google has the $$ to do some wildly expensive renovations.

[Chi-Sky21]

The reports of its death have been GREATLY exaggerated!