“Google is negotiating to buy the spaceship-like James R. Thompson Center in Chicago in a deal that could provide a much-needed boost to the city’s Loop business district.

“The Mountain View, California-based tech giant is seeking to buy the Helmut Jahn-designed building at 100 W. Randolph St., where it plans to expand its Chicago offices into a large portion of the 17-story building’s soon-to-be-renovated office space, according to people familiar with the deal.

“It’s the latest twist for a 37-year-old building that faced the wrecking ball until Chicago developer Prime Group emerged last year with a plan to buy it from the state for $70 million.

“It’s not known whether the Chicago developer, led by Chairman and CEO Mike Reschke, will flip the 1.2 million-square-foot structure to Google when Prime Group’s purchase is completed sometime this year or if Reschke will carry out his redevelopment plan for Google. Reschke previously said he planned a $300 million renovation that would create modern offices, outdoor terraces and potentially a luxury hotel on upper floors.

“It’s unclear how Google’s deal to buy the building would affect that agreement, which calls for 1,300 state employees to be based in the renovated space. The price also could not be determined.

“The deal is not done yet and could change, though a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services said the Thompson Center is on schedule to be sold this summer to the previously selected buyer.

“Reschke declined to comment on Google’s plans. A Google spokesperson pointed to a Chicago workforce of nearly 2,000 people and said that the company will ‘explore opportunities to ensure our physical space meets the needs of local Googlers.'” (Ori, CoStar News, 6/28/22)

Read the full story at CoStar News

Google in Talks To Buy Chicago’s Thompson Center; Deal Could Revive Part of Downtown That Has Lagged Behind Other Neighborhoods, Ryan Ori, CoStar News, 6/28/22

Google may be Googling the Thompson Center; The search engine company says it is growing in Chicago, but it won’t speak directly to a report of its interest in the former state government hub in the Loop, David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times, 6/29/22

Google Could Buy Thompson Center, Report Says; It’s the latest twist for the famed building, which opened in 1985 and has been used for governmental offices — but which has faced costly infrastructure issues, Mack Liederman, Block Club Chicago, 6/29/22

Google’s shopping for more office space—and not just in Fulton Market; Tech giant Google plans to add 1,000 Chicago workers and has explored new workspace on LaSalle Street—including at the Thompson Center signatures, Danny Ecker and John Pletz, Crain’s Chicago Business, 6/29/22

Google remains mum as rumors of a future move into Chicago’s Thompson Center swirl, Matt Hickman, The Architect’s Newspaper, 7/1/22

The Thompson Center At 100 W Randolph Street May Have A New Buyer, Bee Ricketts, Chicago YIMBY, 7/3/22