Google’s new headquarters at Thompson Center to now open in 2028, later than planned

Google now expects its remodeled Thompson Center headquarters in Chicago to open in 2028, a later date than the company once planned, according to the Chicago Business Journal. The building at 100 W. Randolph St. is being turned into a new home for the tech giant’s Midwest operations, while also keeping parts of the landmark open to the public. The company said in an announcement that it is making “strong progress” on the project and plans to welcome Googlers, tenants and visitors in 2028.

The move adds another chapter to a long and complicated redevelopment of the former state office tower. The joint venture led by The Prime Group Inc. and Capri Investment Group bought the property from Illinois in 2022 for $105 million, setting in motion a project that now blends office space, retail and public areas in the heart of the Loop, per the Chicago Business Journal.

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According to Crain’s Chicago Business, Google plans to house at least 2,000 employees in the building, with a design that keeps the signature curved form and the 17-story atrium. The company is replacing the old exterior with a new triple-pane glass facade and adding about 60,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, according to the project details in the report.

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Google also says its vision includes “world-class art, innovative workspaces, direct access to CTA, an activated plaza and the iconic atrium.” The company has commissioned Sanford Biggers for a public art piece on the plaza and is working with After School Matters on a student-designed work for the retail concourse, the Chicago Business Journal reported.

The project is seen as a major test for downtown Chicago, which is still adjusting to weaker office traffic after remote work reshaped the Loop. Supporters say the arrival of thousands of workers and visitors could help nearby businesses and landlords, just as Google’s growth in Fulton Market helped fuel that area’s rise. The company said retail leasing is now underway.