THE JAMES R. THOMPSON CENTER WAS FOR DECADES DOWNTOWN’S EPICENTER of state government, a home for departments ranging from the governor’s office to a driver services facility. Now the 17-story curved glass tower — an exemplar of postmodern architecture — stands forlornly empty, with signs affixed to its entryways announcing in big red letters: “The Driver Services Facility Has Moved Across the Street.” But come mid-2026, the old haunt is expected to crackle with new vigor as Google opens a second regional headquarters there, expanding beyond its base in Fulton Market (see page 22).
On top of bringing along thousands of well-paid employees, Google is sparking hopes — La Salle Street, which runs along the Thompson Center’s west edge. Once among the most robust business corridors in the country, it is reeling from corporate restructurings, employee downsizing, and disruptions spawned by the pandemic and the remote-work era. The result: a historic office building vacancy rate of more than 25 percent and climbing.
