Hey, Google: Tech Giant Purchases Chicago's Thompson Center For $105M

CHICAGO — The James R. Thompson Center will have a new tenant after tech giant Google agreed to purchase the downtown space from the state for $105 million, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker confirmed at a news conference on Wednesday.

Google will purchase the entire building after it is renovated, officials said. The state had previously said it would continue to own part of the building, but Pritzker said the entirety of the property would be sold to Google. The company is expected to move into the space in the Loop in 2026, Google officials said.

As part of the deal, the state will use about $75 million of the $105 million to purchase office space for state workers at 115 S. LaSalle St.

“Google is one of Chicago’s most important companies,” the governor said at the news conference. “You are an integral part of our community and you have invested in your future while investing in ours.”

Pritzker said as part of the deal, the city will receive more revenue from the sale of the Thompson Center while also saving tax dollars because of the shift in ownership. Pritzker said Wednesday that taxpayers will see a savings of nearly $1 billion over the next 30 years.

Renovations are expected to begin later this year and will take about two years to complete, officials said.

Google has about more than 1,800 employees in Chicago and Google officials said that the purchase of the Thompson Center “deepens our commitment” to the company’s long-term presence in Chicago.

“We love being part of Chicago’s diverse and vibrant community,” Karen Sauder, head of Google’s Chicago office wrote in a memo to employees. “It’s important for us to be good neighbors and continue to focus on helping local communities, organizations, and people emerge stronger from the pandemic.”

She added: “It also helps meet the diverse needs of our flexible hybrid workforce. By establishing a presence in Chicago’s central business district, we are getting in on the ground floor of a broader revitalization of the Loop.”