An adaptive reuse project involving two historic towers in Chicago’s South Loop needs a developer.
The General Services Administration has tapped JLL brokers Brian Carroll and Ed Chatmon to oversee the qualifications process for the 16-story Century Building, at 202 South State Street, and the 22-story Consumers Building, 220 South State Street, early 20th-century properties that have become the focal point of preservation efforts following years of uncertainty, CoStar reported.
The decision to seek proposals marks a significant shift in the fate of the two State Street towers. The properties’ uncertain future began after the U.S. federal government purchased them in the early 2000s to create a buffer zone around the courthouse following a 2004 truck bomb threat.
A redevelopment plan involving apartment conversions and retail space was put on hold in 2017 due to concerns from federal judges about the visibility into sensitive areas of the courthouse. Both properties were slated for demolition prior to the GSA’s decision to repurpose them.
Redevelopment would exclude residential, medical or religious spaces. Developers will also need to prioritize safety by incorporating measures like round-the-clock surveillance and restricted access to rooftops and outdoor areas.
While specific uses for the redeveloped spaces are still to be determined, past proposals have included options for archives or other controlled-access functions that would limit public access.
The GSA’s request for proposals closes on Jan. 31. Interested parties are expected to submit their qualifications, outlining how they would approach the redevelopment in compliance with the GSA’s stringent guidelines.
Another historic property, in the South Loop’s Motor Row District, was recently safeguarded by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. That board blocked property owner Randy Shifrin’s plans to demolish a two-story building at 2347 South Michigan Avenue, where he planned to build affordable housing.
— Andrew Terrell
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