The James R. Thompson center is a 425,000 square-foot building. J.B. Pritzker announced last year that the Thompson Center was going to be renovated. The building was once a hub for all CTA trains, but has recently seen its share of problems. The Thompson Center will be preserved while being transitioned into the 21st century, according to a release Wednesday. A rendering of the Thompson Center.
According to the release, the building's original architects will be part of the redeveloped building. The covered colonnade at the base of the building will be renovated to allow for an enhanced ground floor experience, including food and beverage retail, along with seasonal activations. The building's faade and internal systems will be replaced with triple-pane glass, which will improve the thermal performance of the building and the comfort of those inside by requiring less energy to heat and cool. The Thompson Center was intended to be a new kind of gathering space for Chicagoans when it opened. It is the only building in the city where all of the L train lines converge. The Thompson Center will continue to serve commuters and will be perfectly positioned to welcome current and future employees from every corner of Chicago with a new and improved experience. Our hope is that this reimagined building will become something more: a thriving community destination for all Chicagoans.