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Google releases renderings of Thompson Center’s new look

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Google’s long-awaited overhaul of the Thompson Center will begin next year, the tech company says, providing the first glimpses of what it might look like.

The iconic downtown Chicago building, which has inspired legions of both passionate admirers and detractors, will maintain a distinctive glass exterior and soaring atrium inside.

But the glass will be newer and more energy efficient. The three exterior rings where the layers of the building come together appear to feature outdoor terraces. […]

The tech company says fencing will go up around the perimeter early next year, followed by construction work. Retailers already are clearing out, with the last departure expected in mid-January.

* Here’s the renderings from Google…

* Google Chicago Site Lead Karen Sauder posted a blog update this morning…

At Google, we’ve set an ambitious goal to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. This means running our offices and data centers on clean energy, every hour of every day. One of the important steps we can take to achieve this goal is to make our offices require less energy in the first place. That’s why last year, when we announced our intent to purchase the Thompson Center, we also pledged to upgrade it to a LEED Platinum, all-electric building.

For a building like the Thompson Center, this isn’t easy. In order to achieve the efficiency gains we’re targeting, the building’s facade and internal systems have to be completely replaced. The new triple-pane glass exterior will improve both the thermal performance of the building and the comfort of those inside by requiring less energy to heat and cool. Additionally, it will modernize the way the building looks, and maximize natural daylight and views. We’ll also replace outdated heating and cooling equipment with high-efficiency systems that are capable of managing Chicago’s famously varied seasons.

Covered terraces along three levels of the southeast perimeter will offer new greenspaces. With more natural light, access to greenspace, and biophilic design elements that borrow from nature, the original design’s ode to transparency and openness will live on.

Not to be preachy, but I wonder what precautions are planned for migrating birds? Especially since 1,000 birds collided with McCormick Place in October.

* More…

WTTW | Google Unveils New Rendering of Thompson Center Renovation, Says the Atrium is Staying:

* Block Club | Here’s A Look At The Thompson Center’s New Design: In July 2022, Google announced it would buy the center for $105 million and received city approval for redevelopment this October. Google plans to begin work in early 2024, and residents will start to see construction fencing going up soon. Sauder said the full redevelopment will take “several years” to complete.

* Tribune | Google will reconstruct the Thompson Center starting early next year, but will retain the building’s atrium:One unknown is how the internet giant’s arrival will impact the Central Loop. The submarket was hit hard by the rise of remote work, which leaves downtown quiet several days each week. Many property owners hope Google will ignite a revival, much as it did for Fulton Market by opening in 2015 its Midwest headquarters in a former cold storage building renovated by developer Sterling Bay.

* Sun-Times | Google releases new renderings of planned Thompson Center makeover: Google officials offered no details on what changes in color or material might be made to the atrium. The Sun-Times reported last October that Google received city permits to remove the atrium’s current metal and glass skin. The new glass exterior facade would also allow the atrium to be visible from inside outside of the building.

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:28 am

Comments

Not to be preachy, but I wonder what precautions are planned for migrating birds? Especially since 1,000 birds collided with McCormick Place in October.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a list of prevention options. One would hope that Google’s design team has looked into this.

https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/minimizing-bird-collisions-with-glass-remodeled-and-new-facilities.pdf

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:33 am
Historically, birds have been welcomed into the JRTC with open arms.

Comment by de Gaulle Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:41 am
Regarding bird strikes, there are ways to make glass safer for birds. Etched glass or glass with tiny dots/patterns seem to work as the birds see if as a surface and avoid flying into it. The Javits Center in New York used to be a major bird killer like McCormick Place. But they installed new, special windows and saw bird strikes drop to almost zero.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:47 am
Based on those images, it looks like the update will be a good blend of modernization while honoring Jahn’s original vision.

And very good point about the birds.

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:47 am
@Rich

Wouldn’t migrating birds fly above downtown rather than between the skyscrapers? The Thompson Center is one of the lowest buildings in that area, so they’d already be dodging the other buildings.

McCormick is on the lake, so it’s the first “tall” structure the birds would encounter.

I don’t know. I’m not a bird expert. Just feels like the topography of buildings downtown would protect the birds from the Thompson Center.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:53 am
rendering shows everyone looking down at the phone not at the building

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:57 am
Wow - that looks like a worthy addition to Chicago’s architecture (and that’s really saying something as it’s the best in the world).

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 9:58 am
== I don’t know. I’m not a bird expert. Just feels like the topography of buildings downtown would protect the birds from the Thompson Center.==

That’s a good point. Though I think especially with the plan for the atrium to be visible from inside outside of the building it could have confuse the birds, especially at night. That’s just where my heads at. https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/dim-lights-birds-night#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%
20that%20birds,burning%20red%20and%20white%20lights.

Comment by Isabel Miller Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:04 am
===@Rich===

Isabel has been working here for a year and a half. It’s time more people started checking the bylines. I moved them to the top to make them more visible. This is the second day in a row I’ve had to point this out.

Please check the bylines.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:11 am
Agree with Isabel on the bird strike issue. And as for the height of the building, I’ve worked in an office that was half below grade with windows under an over hang and we still had migrating warblers strike and get killed.

And while on the subject of windows… why just rely on triple pane? Why not turn the Center into it’s own power station with these types of solar powered windows? https://www.cnet.com/science/these-solar-windows-are-an-invisible-alternative-to-solar-panels/

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:23 am
I like it.

And it’s finally going to get some proper glass

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:44 am
@Isabel. My bad. Appreciate all the work you do here.

Should have known from the style of the post. I like how you post a ton of supporting links that add flavor.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:47 am
Who’s Isabel?

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:52 am
Can we don another Running Scared during the work? I loved seeing that place shot up.

Seriously, this looks great and I hope Google is able to make the building work.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 10:53 am
What a beaut!

Comment by DisappointedVoter Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:05 am
I’ve been in the basement concourse level for lunch on numerous occasions before it closed. It always had a few birds flying around down there inside the building. They looked well fed. They had plenty to dine on down there!

Outside bird protection is of course, a different story.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:07 am
That looks kinda cool.
Fix the bird issue and that has potential.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:09 am
I’m just glad that the building is now owned by the private sector. The State never put enough into maintenance, repair and rehab.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:15 am
Will it still be open to the public? Would love to be able to tour once it’s done.
I know they’ll have some access to the CTA. Are they going to have a downstairs food court that the CTA folks can access? Or is that gone for good?

Comment by Frida's boss Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:32 am
Very happy with Google’s direction and plan. Well done! I like it very much.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 11:49 am
Looks like the renderings are missing the water park still

Comment by CornAl DoGooder Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 12:09 pm
Have to give credit to the Google blogger for this great phrase: “Chicago’s famously varied seasons”

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 1:41 pm
The Thompson Center’s dated design and how it was turning into an dysfunctional eyesore put me in favor of demolition. But Google’s renderings of a clean, glassy exterior offers a fresh look and promises of major overhauls inside are very promising.

Comment by jackmac Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 1:46 pm
It would be great if Blair Kamin came out of retirement and give his opinion of the Google redesign…

Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 1:50 pm
I’ve always been a fan of the building. Nice to see this design which seems to offer a good blend of old and new.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 2:04 pm
==Looks like the renderings are missing the water park still==
I always thought that converting to a water park was by far the best idea to come out of various brainstorming sessions on this blog. Sorry that it won’t be happening.

Comment by Teacher Lady Wednesday, Dec 13, 23 @ 2:19 pm