Thompson Center Tops Another Endangered Landmarks List

The James R Thompson Center, Chicago

The Thompson Center, the red-headed stepchild of Chicago architecture, landed on another list of endangered landmarks. The Helmut Jahn-designed building tops Landmarks Illinois' 2017 list of endangered landmarks. The Thompson Center also made Preservation Chicago's 2016 list of endangered buildings.

Landmarks Illinois said the reason the Thompson Center tops the list is the growing assumption that Gov. Bruce Rauner's attempt to auction the building makes demolishing it for a new development a fait accompli that "devalues the civic and cultural advances" in Jahn's postmodern design.

Michael Reese Hospital Singer Pavilion, Chicago
Michael Reese Hospital Singer Pavilion, Chicago

Chicago-area buildings occupy the top three spots on Landmarks Illinois' list. O'Hare International Airport's rotunda building, built in 1962, made the list because Mayor Rahm Emanuel's O'Hare terminal expansion could put its jet-age design in jeopardy.

The other Chicago building named is the Singer Pavilion at Michael Reese Hospital. The sole building remaining from the city's demolition of the Michael Reese campus, its future is in doubt because the city is accepting requests for proposals for redevelopment of the campus.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Chicago Newsletters
Related Stories

Mars Factory Overhaul Stalls As Candymaker's Chicago Expansion Accelerates

How Long Island Projects Can Cut Through Red Tape And Community Opposition To Cross The Finish Line

Boca Raton's New Leaders Throwing 'All Kinds Of Curveballs' At Developers

NYC Stops Construction On Another Office-To-Residential Conversion As Inspectors Descend On Job Sites

While Chicago Development Stalls, Fulton Market Keeps Building

AI Has Saved Time But Muddied Traffic Data For CRE Marketing Execs

The Crown Estate Unveils Nearly 170K SF Of West End Redevelopment

AI-Assisted Construction-Bid Startup Fields $4M Seed Investment

Amazon Close To Deal For Goose Island Warehouse: The Chicago Deal Sheet

'A Welcoming Destination': Arlington Heights, Illinois, Is Making Big Investments In Its Future

Oceanwide Plaza Sale Primed To Move Forward

Chicago Ranks No. 3 For AI Job Growth As Office Market Stands To Benefit