Projects

Transforming Chicago’s Thompson Center into a modern workplace with Google

At the heart of Chicago’s central business district, Google is reimagining the historic Thompson Centre into a workplace for the future.

Key information

Client Google

Location Illinois

Project type Real estate

Services Controls and performance, Cost and commercial management, Procurement and supply chain

Project timeline 2023 - Ongoing

The Google Thompson Center in Chicago, a 17-storey, glass fronted building set to a backdrop of cars and greenery.

Image courtesy: Jahn

Contact

Georgia Wright

Director

How do you reinvent a city landmark as a modern workplace?

Google is transforming the James R. Thompson Center into its new Chicago home. Working with the building’s original architects, Jahn, the project brings the centre into the 21st century while retaining the design qualities that make it such a distinctive part of the city. The redevelopment preserves key features, including the iconic atrium, while providing around 1.15m sq ft of workspace designed for hybrid working and future growth.

Street-level improvements, along with new public areas and places to eat and meet, open the building up to the city and strengthen its connection to the surrounding neighborhood. It’s a new chapter for one of Chicago’s most recognizable buildings.

Iconic adaptive
reuse

Revitalizing a postmodern landmark into a high-performing modern workplace.

Major urban
impact

A catalyst for the ongoing renewal of Chicago’s Loop neighborhood.

Strategic support

Cost, commercial and procurement services giving clarity on budget and sourcing.

Sustainability ambition

Targeting LEED Platinum, supported by improved building systems and exceptional public transport connectivity.

Supplier diversity

Procurement prioritizes local, minority-owned businesses.

Project story

Managing costs and widening opportunity

We were appointed in 2023 to provide cost and commercial management and procurement oversight for the redevelopment. Our early work focused on setting the budget, securing key funding approvals, and aligning processes with the developer.

A key milestone was negotiating the guaranteed maximum price agreement, which delivered significant savings and enabled construction to start in May 2024. The procurement strategy prioritizes local, minority-owned suppliers, supporting diversity and expanding participation across the project.

A low-carbon workplace in the heart of the city

Sustainability is central to the Thompson Center’s transformation. A redesigned high-performance glass façade and upgraded heating and cooling systems will improve energy efficiency and help the project meet its LEED Platinum target.

The building’s location, where six L train lines meet, gives employees and visitors exceptional access to public transport, helping cut emissions from daily commutes. Construction is also generating local jobs and community benefits while creating a low-carbon workplace for the future.

Projects