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For a third time the state-owned James R. Thompson Center government building in downtown Chicago is on Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Historic Places list. […]

“A troubling trend with this year’s Most Endangered sites is the number of historic places that face demolition despite strong and active community support for preservation,” said Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks’ CEO. “People all over Illinois are working to save special places that help tell the unique stories and history of their neighborhoods despite the many challenges that stand in their way.” […]

Preservationists love the design — Landmarks calls the center “Chicago’s best example of grandly-scaled, Postmodern architecture” — but tenants have complained of year-round temperature problems and the building has not been maintained. The building was first put on Landmarks’ endangered list in 2017.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation outlining a two-year plan to sell the Thompson Center. Landmarks says it only supports a sale if the building is reused.

* The Question: Do you have any “unique stories” about the Thompson Center?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:15 pm

Comments

For some reason there was a Sbarro in it. Man the 80s were bad.

Comment by Ben Gazzara Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:17 pm
It’s a dump. Bulldoze it.

Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:19 pm
3 foot by 6 foot slab of granite fell off of it from the second floor onto the corner Clark and Lake. It was 11:30 in the morning on a weekday. Miraculously nobody was hurt

Comment by Chunga Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:20 pm
I was in the lower level for lunch one day and was interrupted with a loud bang. 60 or 70 feet away a jumper splatto. My co-workers thought there was something wrong with me for finishing my lunch.

A large open noisey building impossible to heat on bitter cold winter days and impossibly to cool in the summer. An Excelon Executive dream.

Comment by Al Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:20 pm
In the 90s, I filed the paperwork for my first business at that building.

I can completely understand how it would have temperature problems year round.

Maybe with modern climate control with articulating duct vents, and sensors every 100 sq/ft to provide feedback. I can’t imagine that would be cost effective when trying to retrofit an existing building built without those designs in mind.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:20 pm
There are trash cans collecting water in the lobby whenever it rains. It is a dump.

Comment by Anon E Moose Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:21 pm
Don’t forget about the rats in the cable chases too.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:23 pm
One of the most depressing buildings I’ve been in. It should be named the “Helmut Jahn Building” after the architect that designed such a horrific interior environment.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:24 pm
I tripped and almost fell on some carpet being held together with duct tape. The agency had plenty of money to change out the carpeting but could not get CMS to do it. I looked so foolish but my coworkers were polite enough to not LOL

Comment by Annon3 Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:27 pm
Before it opened, the movie Running Scared with Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines (with bad guy a young Jimmy Smits) used the JRTb (unoccupied) as the set of the final big bad battle. The last 20 minutes of the movie are a basic action movie total destruction of the site. First time I saw the movie my immediate thought was ‘at least that building was good for something’. I’m sure someone in the city will find a much better use for prime real estate.

Comment by Not so silent majority Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:27 pm
During my stint working in the JRTC, I often wore shorts to work in the summer months. On a sunny day my cubicle was 90 degrees.

“Mr. Pritzker, tear down this building.” - Fake Reagan

Comment by Yup Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:27 pm
The useable office space seems uniquely small for such a large building.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:28 pm
My late father worked on the building during its construction. He pointed out numerous design flaws and predicted that the building would not age gracefully.

It was featured in a movie “Running Scared” when it was brand new.

Dad was right. It ought to be demolished.

Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:29 pm
Looking at Thompson Center Architect Jahn’s other buildings, I realize I’ve been in at least one other. It was equally depressing and a maintenance nightmare. Thankfully, that building has been torn down.

Comment by Downstate Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:29 pm
I hear it’s going to be a water park in the near future

Comment by Gohawks123 Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:30 pm
I love that building. I had to pass through the other day from the CTA and I looked up. What a thrill. It’s a shame it hasn’t been maintained.

==3 foot by 6 foot slab of granite fell off of it from the second floor onto the corner Clark and Lake. It was 11:30 in the morning on a weekday. Miraculously nobody was hurt.==

There’s granite on the outside of the Thompson Center? I’ll have to take a second look. I never knew that.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:32 pm
The person who jumped from the 15th floor back in 2001 or 2002 and fell between the two elevator banks. I think I heard he was decapitated, but fortunately, I didn’t see the incident. Heard it, though.

Comment by ??? Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:33 pm
Not one specific memory, but I will never forget coming home from work everyday with a headache due to the constant hum of thousands of office workers, and the constant dinging from the elevator bells every 20 seconds. I honestly quit my job because I couldn’t work in that building anymore.

Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:33 pm
===the state-owned James R. Thompson Center government building in downtown Chicago is on Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Historic Places list.===

Proving that it doesn’t have to be good to be a classic.

No real horror stories, I saw JBT at an event there not too long before she passed away, and she looked to be in the best of health.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:34 pm
I recently visited offices there I worked in 20 years ago. Carpet was the same. Duct tape was new but in the same places. And Sbarro is still there.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:34 pm
I was standing outside smoking on Lake Street once when Helmut Jahn walked out, carrying a punch of blueprint tubes.

He was wearing a porkpie hat and cape, a la Frank Lloyd Wright, and a uniformed chauffeur opened the door for him to get in the back of a VW van.

Weird sight.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:36 pm
During Rod’s first year I went to a meeting at the JRTC with a State Agency Director. I got off elevator and was told to take a seat in what could have been Greyhound Bus waiting room. Old plastic type chairs that had chips missing in their paint and end tables that a college kid would toss.

The director’s secretary took me to the director’s office where the carpet was wet from a leak somewhere and the fans they were using to dry it out kept blowing circuits taking the lights out.

If that wasn’t enough, the director’s office was smaller than my office in Springfield and had so little privacy we took our conversation down to the foodcourt.

On the outside it looks like it should have landmark status due to the design. On the inside it looks like it was designed by Khrushshev Design Bureau who were having a really bad day and ticked off at the world.

The only place that makes the JRTC look good is the Stratton Bldg that should have been bulldozed a month after it opened.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:42 pm
The complete lack of ventilation in my interior office.

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:49 pm
A lot of people didnt like to pay their fare to get on cta from the Thom ctr booth.

Comment by Regular democrat Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:49 pm
I interviewed former Governor Thompson once and thanked him for the building (I love it - I love the visceral thrill every time I ride the elevator). His response “It’s a celebration of space!”

Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 2:55 pm
== The only place that makes the JRTC look good is the Stratton Bldg that should have been bulldozed a month after it opened. ==

The Stratton Building is at least functional in comparison to the JRTC.

The biggest thing against the Stratton Building is it is relatively ugly for the period it was built in. But that is partly because of the design provision that it could be expanded by filling in the centers later.

—

I think the JRTC was used as a movie set after it opened. I remember a friend working all night for months removing computer equipment before filming and reinstalling it before work the next morning.

—

I’ll also somewhat defend the building. Yes, the design was a monumental waste of space, something only Government would do. But some of the building’s other faults were the result of substituting cheaper materials (especially the glass) in the name of cost savings. It proved to be a false economy.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:04 pm
The original assigned space for the Director of Corrections’ office was just feet away from the Lake Street “El” stop - a perfect setting for anyone wishing to take a shot and jump on a train to vanish.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:05 pm
Also, if I recall, former DCEO Director Peter Fox had a beach umbrella in his office to block out the sun.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:06 pm
The now routine bed bug outbreaks there…

Comment by South sider Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:08 pm
Using the ladies room on Monday morning and seeing all the dead cockroaches. It was such a depressing building. So sad it was not maintained.

Comment by Wonderful World Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:08 pm
On the 7th floor, one of the administrative hearings rooms was designed without any ventilation - no heating or cooling ducts. Also, on the 7th floor many of the offices were designed with no doors, apparently as a money saving feature - which wasn’t the wisest thing given that that the offices are occupied by folks dealing with confidential tax information. Finally, on the 7th floor in the corner office at the NE corner of the building ice would form on the inside wall on cold days in the winter.

I was the first person on the 7th floor to get new carpeting - above my office was an outside roof onto which water drained through a drainage system off of the upper floor windows. One weekend, the drains clogged, the water came through the roof and soaked my office. I got new carpet.

Comment by Facts matter Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:09 pm
Big bad wilf- there used to be granted wall rings around the building. They were taken down after that slab fell H Jahn demanded they be rebuilt. D Vaught told him no.

Comment by Chunga Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:12 pm
===The biggest thing against the Stratton Building is it is relatively ugly===

Ain’t no “relative” about it. That place is ugly.

Also, a haz-mat team has to be called to replace over-head light fixtures because of the asbestos.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:14 pm
I met with Lisa Madigan in her office shortly after she announced that she wasn’t running. When I asked her why, she said the increasing size and aggressiveness of the roaches was a major factor.

Comment by Kenno Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:20 pm
A fish flopping around downstairs when the Chicago River was breached/flooded near the East Bank Club. Lech Walesa’s first official visit as Poland’s President. And, so sadly recently the day Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was murdered.

Comment by Kirk Dillard Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:37 pm
I’m in the minority, I like it and always have. It’s important to admit up front, I’ve never worked inside of it, only visited. Used to get my hair cut at Super Cuts, and donated blood at Life Source, I’d eat lunch in the food court occasionally too, especially when I worked at City Hall.

I think the fact that governor after governor allowed it to be neglected, and even encouraged official neglect as policy, troubles me the most. Yes, the politics of investing in nicer offices for bureaucrats makes it difficult (see “Stratton Building”), but our state leaders decidedly to allow the building to become the s—hole it is, simply because they were too timid to do what was necessary to maintain it.

It may very well be past the point of rehabbing, but I suspect that was the plan all along. I want to be sure to give these folks proper credit. Well done, bozos, it’ll now cost more to rehab than it will to tear it down.

Mission accomplished.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:42 pm
The time I spilled a cup of coffee on the carpets, and knew that the stain would be there forever.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:44 pm
From the outside it looks like stacked suitcases. Not my original - can’t remember where I read it, but whoever it was wrote “I can show you the handles.”

Comment by Randy Fritz Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:45 pm
I challenge Ms McDonald to find any strong and active community support for the preservation of the JRTC. I was working Auditor General Cronson when the building opened. He had to fight with CMS to get an office with a door.

Comment by LTSW Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:45 pm
I attended a legislative budget hearing in the Rod era, when there was a lot of media coverage about his travel between Chicago and Springfield and a growing number of such hearings taking place at JRTC. The chairman of the committee opened the meeting with….

“Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the State Capitol…”

Comment by Father Ted Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:46 pm
Those umbrellas perched over the desks in the open areas do more than provide protection from the sun, they also deflect the bird droppings.

Comment by Tommy Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:47 pm
Other than the fact that when it rains, water drips from the glass ceiling onto my hands and keyboard. I’m in an extremely unique work area, I refer to it as the terrarium. I have several umbrellas to strategically block out the sun. Average temp is 82 degrees (summer or winter), I have a desk thermometer. The reception couches and me started the same day. I wouldn’t sit on those couches for all the tea in China. Duct tape all over the place holding carpet down. In the late 80’s, when I was on 3 at DCCA, mice showed up more than many of the employees, in the high rise elevator section I haven’t seen one in years. But other than that, its a GREAT place to work /s. When they sell this thing I’d like an award ceremony for those that have been with her since the beginning.

Comment by PMS Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 3:51 pm
Everyday I worked there (above the 10th floor), I smelled fried chicken from the basement of the atrium. That certainly was memorable. That and the ripped carpet held together by ducktape, ugly storage cabinets, and desktops from the early 2000’s complete the picture.

Comment by redux Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:10 pm
Have been there a few times over the years. One time I was there for a meeting at the Arts Council and it was raining INSIDE the building!

Comment by Nitemayor Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:13 pm
Several memories:

My son was in day care at the Bilandic Building across the street. After work I’d take him over to the Thompson and we’d ride up and down in the glass elevators.

I asked an architect friend of mine what he thought of it and he described it as “another magnificent failure.” There are some awesome design elements, especially the soaring interior space and glass elevators (design and construction flaws aside).

The first time I went up to the offices on 16 I had the eerie feeling looking down at the design on the Concourse floor that it resembled a target. Very sadly, I wasn’t the only one to notice that.

Comment by 37B Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:19 pm
The atrium is one of the most awe-inspiring interiors in the country. But it’s as if no thought was given to making the offices surrounding that grand atrium into functional work space. But if I’m in the neighborhood and have some spare time, I’ll visit and crane my neck up to take in that vertiginous view.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:25 pm
Yep I remember the day it landed 😳

Comment by Yep Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:26 pm
I am a Thompson Center apologist - I think it’s a beautiful, sad metaphor for the state of Illinois: Historically grand, creative plans bogged down by neglect, improper funding. It’s time has come and gone.

I will always remember the first time I saw the custodial staff buffing the carpets.

Comment by Salonica’s Backroom Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:43 pm
It’s a metaphor of the Thompson admin that built it…looks good on the outside, full of hot air, and left us a poor legacy to fix (here’s to your behavior outlined in the Supreme Court’s Rutan decision Big Jim, Zagel, Rovner and the rest)…

Comment by Public Citizen Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 4:56 pm
I once read the minutes of the architect selection committee for that building. SOM was No.1. C.F. Murphy was No. 2

Comment by excdb Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 5:07 pm
Soul By The Pound had a satellite in the basement back when the flagship restaurant was on State. Those ladies baked a mean pie and the customers were to a person kind. They brought a warmth to lunch in the Loop that is deeply missed.

Comment by Marine Life Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 5:22 pm
By sheer coincidence, a commercial shredding truck parked along side Rod’s car on Lake street and the birds flying throughout the atrium especially on weekends. The building is awful but on a snowy day it was like being in a real-life snow globe.

Comment by JK Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 6:13 pm
The Stratton was not a bad building originally; I think it actually came in under budget. It’s become uglified inside over the years because the State is a terrible landlord as well as a worse tenant.

They say the building was shaped like a capital letter “I” for “Illinois”… but the cynic in me points out: that shape maximizes the number of always high-status corner offices.

Photos of the building in it’s early days show a tasteful and even hip mid-century modern design scheme including very tall doors. But that didn’t last, and the re-models were a mish-mash of re-shaping the inside spaces with poorly thought-out partitions to pack in more people and make more private offices, and re-decorating with things that didn’t match the original, because state officials, - especially the mid-level manager types that do the bulk of the decisions and implementation - have no sense of taste. And no desire to consult with actual designers. It’s like having a classic car and then “improving it” by sticking a bunch of aftermarket hood ornaments, spoilers, truck nuts, exhaust extensions and floral print seat covers on it.

The Armory across from the Capitol Building could be very nicely renovated while keeping the outside shell, instead of leaving it to rot, as is current policy, and it could have a big open space on the first floor gym area for big public gatherings and events, instead of always counting on the BOS center.

As to the Thompson Center: I still find it very inspiring to walk into that atrium. It’s like a cathedral to civil service, and it’s nobler aspirations.

Wanna know who I blame the Thompson Center’s dilapidation on? Bernie, actually. The people that should have maintained the SOIC were always deathly afraid of seeing a headline in Bernie’s column about “wasteful spending of tax dollars on frivolous decorating”, and no Governor since Stratton seemed to have the stones to spend maintenance money to be a good steward of a public asset… all for fear of those kind of headlines, perfect for re-use in campaign materials by rivals. So every administration kicked the can on doing what everybody knew was the right thing all along… you have an asset, you’re supposed to take care of it.

Whatever the state does for their next central office building, we’re going to have to take away control of the maintenance and give it to responsible adults with actual, you know, spines, that will take care of it properly. Politicians and the people under them, under both parties, have proved over decades that they just aren’t up to the challenge.

Comment by Not Helmut's Alt at all I swear Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 6:14 pm
My story is that I’ve enjoyed working there over 30 years. Some of the comments above are valid, although the lack of routine maintenance is not a fault of the building itself. And yes, that atrium is inspiring. I hate the thought of tearing it down but it seems that the die is cast.

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 6:42 pm
There is a certain futuristic charm inside the place. However, it’s better use would be as a shopping mall or indoor amusement venue. It’s a commercial building trying and not succeeding to be a government building. The food court also has some of my favorite fast food restaurants that don’t exist in Englewood.

Comment by State University Staffer Thursday, May 2, 19 @ 8:26 pm
Back in 98 or 99, a buddy of mine was hanging out in front of the building with some friends passing around a J when when Gov. Edgar walks pass them and comments ‘Smelling good there boys’

Comment by CT Resident Friday, May 3, 19 @ 9:45 am
Even though I understand the reason for the building being designed that way, with the emphasis on the Atrium, the Glass wall providing natural light, a hint of the fact that the Government has to be transparent (after the Watergate saga etc.); it is a horrible use of space. A building for a government that has that much unused space is wasteful. I understand the ‘architectural’ people making all kinds of arguments for why this is a historically significant building; tear that down. With the bad maintenance over the years; it is a freaking eyesore. More than the building; i want that piece-o-crap ’sculpture’ that is ensconced outside the building (you know the one that looks like a dirty pile of snow); to be sent to the landfill. If you can include the “man f**ing a fish” that is in front of the Shedd alongwith this; i will be ecstatic.

Comment by indianbadger1 Friday, May 3, 19 @ 9:51 am