“We’re encouraged that the architecturally-daring James R. Thompson Center — seemingly consigned to the scrap heap just a few years ago — is now set to become the downtown home for tech giant Google.

“In a deal announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a Wednesday morning news conference outside the Thompson Center, Google will buy the building from the state for $105 million, then move in 2,000 workers once rehab and restoration, not yet started, are complete.

“‘Google is one of Chicago’s most important companies,’ Pritzker said. ‘You are an integral part of our community and you have invested in your future while investing in ours.’

“It’s a win for both sides, and for our city.

“As part of the plan, the state will buy the former BMO Harris Building, 115 S. LaSalle St., from Prime Group for $75 million and relocate some state offices there. Pritzker said the state would consolidate space it currently leases downtown, a move that the governor said would save taxpayers $1 billion — over 30 years.

“Google, meanwhile, has a good track record when it comes to old buildings. The company paid $1.9 billion in 2010 for the 3 million square foot former Port Authority building in New York. The company is the building’s largest tenant and has helped bring other tech companies to the area.

“‘The way we see it, the Thompson Center is more than just a building,’ Karen Sauder, head of Google’s Chicago operations, said at the announcement.

“‘Establishing a presence here in the Loop allows us to get in on the ground floor of revitalizing and breathing new life into the very heart of this city,’ she said.

“This bodes well for the Thompson Center, but also for a Chicago downtown that’s still staggering from the pandemic and needs all the help, energy — and new office workers — it can get.” (Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board, 7/27/22)

Read the full editorial at Chicago Sun-Times

Thompson Center, luckily, shows up in Google’s search for office space, The sale bodes well for the Thompson Center, but also for a downtown that’s still staggering from the pandemic and needs all the help, energy — and new office workers — it can get, Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board, 7/27/22

Google to the rescue for the Loop; The company’s plan to occupy and eventually purchase a revamped Thompson Center is an inflection point in the Loop’s sluggish comeback from COVID-19, Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business, 7/27/22

Google’s plan to take over Thompson Center a shot in the arm for downtown Chicago and for Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Dan Petrella and Brian Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 7/27/22

Google to buy Thompson Center; Developer Mike Reschke’s company will renovate the building, John Pletz and Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business, 7/27/22

Google turns up big in Chicago’s search for a benefactor; In buying the Thompson Center, the search engine company is helping state and local governments answer some knotty questions. But will the partnership go a tiny bit further?, David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times, 8/1/22

How the Google-Thompson Center deal came together: Crain’s Daily Gist podcast; Crain’s reporters Danny Ecker and John Pletz talk about how Google’s plan to occupy and eventually purchase the Thompson Center happened and what it could mean for the Loop, Crain’s Chicago Business, 8/2/22 (29:16 Interview)

Google to buy, renovate Chicago’s Thompson Center; The tech giant’s move into the glassy state office could bring thousands of jobs. But what will this mean for the historical legacy of the building?, Claire Hyman, Reset, WBEZ Chicago, 7/29/22 (13:42 Interview)

Google Buys Thompson Center, Will Preserve Much Loved, Loathed Loop Landmark, Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago, 7/27/22 (7:26 Interview)

Google buys Thompson Center, Anna Roberts and Alyssa Donovan, WGN 9, 7/27/22 (2:45)

Google Is Buying The Thompson Center For $105 Million; The famed building will be sold to the tech giant, which will “entirely” redevelop the Thompson Center into an office suite for its workers, Gov. JB Pritzker said, Kelly Bauer, Block Club Chicago, 7/27/22

It’s Actually Good News That Google Bought the Thompson Center, Diana Budds, New York Curbed, 7/28/22

Google Will Call The Loop Home at Thompson Center, Chicago Loop Alliance, 7/27/22

Google to acquire iconic Chicago building in $105 million sale; The tech giant plans to occupy Chicago’s historic James R. Thompson Center as soon as 2026, Dave Byrnes, 7/27/22

Google will buy the Thompson Center; The Prime Group will pay $105 million to then renovate and sell it to Google, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 7/29/22

Google Confirms $105M Purchase Of Thompson Center, Bee Rickets, Chicago Yimby, 7/28/22

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