DEMOLITION WORK BEGINS ON THOMPSON CENTER EXTERIOR

Demolition of the exterior and atrium of the Thompson Center have begun as Google’s plan to convert the former state government building into its Chicago headquarters progresses.

Crews used excavators to tear off lower exterior portions of the building at 100 W. Randolph St. on Thursday, marking an unofficial start to Google’s $280 million renovations of the 17-story building.

Permits issued last October by the Department of Buildings called for removing the structure’s metal and glass skin. Renderings released by Google last year show a similar-looking building, with its trademark atrium still intact but absent of its long-standing blue, salmon and white color scheme.

The “Monument with Standing Beast” sculpture, the 29-foot tall structure that has stood outside the building since 1984, was also removed Thursday. The sculpture — nicknamed “Snoopy in a Blender” — will be kept at a state facility until it’s moved to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Google bought the 39-year-old building designed by Chicago architect Helmut Jahn for $105 million in 2022 when Gov. J.B. Pritzker managed to preserve most of the building after attempts by previous governors to demolish it.

The company plans to redevelop the building into a headquarters for 2,000 employees.

The “Monument with Standing Beast” sculpture, a 29-foot tall structure that has stood outside the Thompson Center since 1984, was removed Thursday. It will be kept at a state facility until it’s moved to the Art Institute of Chicago.

TYLER PASCIAK LARIVIERE/SUN-TIMES PHOTOS Crews begin to demolish the facade of the Thompson Center on Thursday.