New Google rendering gives early glimpse of former Thompson Center atrium's future

Google will refashion the ground floors of the former Thompson Center atrium into a hotel lobby-like space with restaurants, retail, seating and greenery, according to a new rendering obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The image shows the building's main concourse and lower level being turned into an almost single bi-level space linked by open stairs, bleacher seating and overlooks.

Most notable: Google said the atrium would be open to the public — not just tenants — during business hours, just as it was during the building's days as the Thompson Center.

The rendering is the first look Google has provided of its vision for the remade interior of the Helmut Jahn-designed building.

Jahn died in 2021, and his firm, now called Jahn, is among a team of architects and designers overseeing the multi-million dollar conversion of the iconic 39-year-old Postmodern state government headquarters into Google's new Chicago home.

"These new design elements align with the identity of the Loop, while honoring the building’s legacy as a symbol of transparency for all to enjoy," Google's Chicago Site Lead Karen Sauder said in a statement to the Sun-Times.

Redevelopment of ‘iconic landmark’ continues

The Google rendering faces southwest inside the atrium and only shows the building's lower level and first five or so floors.

But Google appears to have kept the physical openness of the atrium, a 17-story public space that was one of Chicago's noblest of civic gestures when the building was built and owned by the state.

The atrium was a public square under glass, filled with art, life, sound and color. It's good to see it retained, especially under a redesign that looks to invite even more people to sit, gather, meet, drink and eat.

"We are focused on restoring the structure and legacy of the original building, which includes the elevator bay and cars, as well as the stairway connections," said Google spokesperson Ryan Lamont.

Google is adding a second-floor terrace on the Randolph Street side of the atrium. The glassy terraces would overlook the entry plaza and the atrium. Google said it is seeking a restaurant for the space.

New office spaces have views of the atrium, the rendering shows.

However, the atrium's original salmon, blue and white color scheme — which added to the building's whiz-bang, futuristic appeal — appears to have been abandoned for sober grays, silvers and tans, with lot of natural plants and wood surfaces.

You'd think a creative tech giant might have found a way to retain the color scheme. But you can't have everything, I suppose.

Google also released an updated rendering of the main entrance, now bronze-colored, at 100 W. Randolph St. The view shows a new plaza with trees, native plantings and seating.

The rendering also offers a glimpse of the atrium's upper floors, and seems to indicate the building's signature bays will be kept, albeit in a different color.

"It's incredibly exciting to see the progress being made on the redevelopment of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks," Sauder said.

A building nearly lost

The new concourse and lower level, with their abundance of stairs and bleacher seats, did make me concerned the spaces would not be fully accessible for those with disabilities.

But Lamont said the redesign will add an elevator that will accessibly connect the two levels. And the twin escalators that originally did the job will be removed, he said.

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be Google headquarters — nearly skeletal for now, with 90,000 square feet of its inefficient original exterior glass now removed — is one of the Loop's most intriguing sites.

Ultimately, the glazing will be replaced by bird-resistant glass that will do a better job of helping keep the interiors of the all-electric building temperate.

Nine years ago, none of this seemed possible as then-Gov. Bruce Rauner announced wrongheaded plans to sell the building to any developer willing to demolish the structure and put up a new one on the site.

Those plans withered, thank goodness. And what should have been proposed then — renovation and reuse — is happening now.

Lee Bey is architecture critic for the Sun-Times and also appears on ABC7 News Chicago. He is also a member of the Editorial Board.

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