West Loop news briefs

By Elizabeth Czapski, Staff Writer

Google Announces Chicago Expansion

Google has chosen Chicago as the location for its new finance hub, planning to add “hundreds” of new jobs with potential for even more growth, according to a press release from the mayor’s office. The announcement comes as part of Google’s national expansion plan and days after Google CEO Sundar Pichai detailed a $13 billion investment in offices and data centers across the country.

Currently, Google has more than 1,000 employees working out of its offices at 320 N. Morgan St. In fall of 2018, Google announced plans to lease an additional 132,000 square feet in Fulton Market to accommodate its growth. With the new space, Google will have the capacity to double its workforce and plans to increase it by 10 percent by the end of 2019.

Coca-Cola Offices opening in Fulton Market

Coca-Cola is moving its corporate offices to Fulton Market from Downers Grove, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. This will bring the company closer to McDonald’s, one of its biggest business partners. Developer McCaffery Interests will open the new 150,000-square-foot building March 4, according to Quenee Dale, receptionist at McCaffery Interests.

“Investing in our Chicago footprint will allow us to better support our customers and our bottling partner, Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling Co.,” Coca-Cola Spokesman Kevin Morris said in a statement.

Located at 1201 W. Lake St., the building will also house McCaffery itself, as well as Heritage Bicycles.

Tribune Media’s North Branch megasite is for sale

Tribune Media plans to sell a 30-acre stretch of land along the North Branch of the Chicago River, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Last fall, the company received zoning approval from the city to redevelop the area into an 8.5-million-square-foot “River District.”

The land currently houses the Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant at 560 W. Grand Ave. Tribune Media has hired office of brokerage Eastdil Secured to sell the property to the highest bidder.

“The River District will extend the downtown district and bring to life a new vibrant mixed-use neighborhood where Chicagoans will live, work and play,” said ” Murray McQueen, head of Tribune Media’s real estate division, in a statement.

CTA stations will get healthy snacks from West Loop vendor

Four CTA stations are getting an upgrade: vending machines from Farmer’s Fridge, a Fulton Market company that makes organic, ready-to-eat snacks and meals, according to Curbed Chicago.

The L stations receiving the machines are the Red Line station at Grand, the Green Line station at Indiana, the Damen Pink Line station, and the Fullerton stop serving the Red, Brown and Purple lines. Phone charging devices and photo booths will also be installed in various L stations around the city as part of a pilot program announced in February designed to improve rider experience and generate revenue for the CTA.

(Published March 18, 2019)