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Sources for The Thompson Center Had a 17-Story Window Problem

Published Sep 16, 2026

Sources Used

  1. Reimagining Chicago’s Thompson Center for the Next Generation

    Mike Miller, Google / 2026-09-16 / Interested-party primary source

    Current 2028 opening target; public access plans; A+I atrium design; cascading staircase, retail and terraced seating; Sanford Biggers commission.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  2. Thompson Center

    Jahn Studio / 2026 / Interested-party primary source

    Building dimensions; completion year; preservation of the curved form and rotunda; replacement triple-glazed curtain wall; Jahn’s role in the redevelopment.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  3. Google Unveils Glimpse at Plans for James R. Thompson Center’s Atrium

    Jahn Studio / 2024-10-31 / Interested-party primary source

    Public-access commitment; all-electric system; bird-safe façade; LEED Platinum goal; transit connection and planned public programming.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  4. Bringing Google to Chicago’s Thompson Center

    Karen Sauder, Google / 2022-07-27 / Interested-party primary source

    Google’s 2022 acquisition announcement; $105 million price for the unrenovated building; transit access and intended reuse.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  5. Thompson Center

    Chicago Architecture Center / Date not stated / Secondary source

    Original double-pane specification; substitution of single-pane glass; resulting thermal-performance problems; architectural history and public-space concept.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  6. Thompson Center Reimagined

    Landmarks Illinois / 2018-04-25 / Interested-party preservation source

    2017 and 2018 endangered-place listings; demolition and sale threat; significance of the Postmodern building and its atrium as an indoor public space.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  7. Thompson Center Chicago

    Thompson Center redevelopment team / Updated through 2026-08 / Interested-party primary source

    Construction chronology; current curtain-wall installation status; triple-pane bird-safe glazing; Clark/Lake connection; design history and sustainability goals.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  8. Google Shares Update on Chicago Thompson Center Renovation Plans, Shares Renderings

    ABC7 Chicago / 2026-09-16 / Secondary source

    Independent confirmation of the current 2028 opening target, continuing construction, public atrium, retail leasing and community-art plans.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

  9. Thompson Center Atrium, Chicago

    Kenneth C. Zirkel / 2019-10-18 / Image source

    Creator, date, subject, original file and CC BY-SA 4.0 publication rights for the cover image.

    Accessed 2026-09-16

Image Sources

  1. Ultrawide photograph of the original James R. Thompson Center atrium at 100 West Randolph Street in Chicago.

    Kenneth C. Zirkel / 2019-10-18 / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Permission contact: Additional permission is not required when the CC BY-SA 4.0 terms are followed. Creator contact is available through the Kzirkel account on Wikimedia Commons.

    Original file: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Thompson_Center_atrium%2C_Chicago.jpg