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Reimagining Chicago's Thompson Center for the next generation. Sep 16, 2026 Blog is sharing the latest designs for its redevelopment of the iconic building as a space for work, culture, and community in Chicago. Plus, Blog is announcing new partnerships with local youth organizations. Mike Miller VP & Chicago Site Lead Listen to article 7:30 minutes Blog first opened its Chicago office in 2000, and since then, the city has grown into a tech hub - and Google's offices have grown to over 2,000 employees. In 2022, Blog announced its intentions to buy the James R. Thompson Center building - honoring its legacy while transforming it into a center of work and community for the next generation of Chicagoans. Today, Blog is sharing new design renderings for the building's soaring atrium, and announcing new community partnerships. Blog is teaming up with After School Matters to commission a student-designed art piece for the retail concourse, and supporting A Better Chicago to combat chronic absenteeism and help local students thrive in school. To top it off, artist Sanford Biggers has also been selected to create a major sculpture for the plaza, bringing a significant civic art moment to this central destination. The design: A preview of the new Thompson Center atrium. The Thompson Center has always been a place where Chicago's many worlds collide - commuters, visitors, and professionals moving through the same space. Its new design aims to curate an inspiring space offering unique amenities for the Loop, including: * A monumental architectural conversion: Conceptualized together with Architecture Plus Information (A+I), Blog expanded the central opening beneath the 17-story atrium, constructing a cascading staircase integrated with terraced seating and retail offerings. * An activated atrium and plaza: Designed for the day-to-day as much as for special moments, the atrium and plaza brings a curated mix of quality food, distinctive retail, and space for seasonal events. The Thompson Center offers a natural place to grab lunch, catch up with colleagues, or simply take in the scene. The art: A plaza sculpture by Sanford Biggers. Sanford Biggers is creating a new sculpture that honors the Loop's rich history of public art. Biggers' sculpture reimagines traditional quilt patterns as a hyper-dynamic, tilted accordion structure that offers spaces for interaction and gathering. Vector, the 30-foot tall sculpture, will be a continuation of the artist's celebrated Codex series, in which Biggers explores the hidden meanings and sacred geometries found within antique quilts. To create the sculpture, Biggers engaged with several local institutions to incorporate Illinois history into the glazed terracotta tile patterns, including historic 19th-century quilts from collections at the Illinois State Museum and Chicago History Museum, in addition to a Tumbling Block motif, a design historically associated with signalling along the Underground Railroad. The installation deepens Biggers' connection to Chicago, where his artistic journey began at the School of the Art Institute in 1999 and continues today. This will be one of his most significant works, transforming the Thompson Center plaza into an intersection of local history and modern craft. In addition to this commission, Google will be sourcing more art for the atrium from artists with roots in Chicago. Situated on the plaza at Randolph and Clark, Sanford Biggers' 30-foot-tall sculpture, Vector, features glazed terracotta tile patterns inspired by historic 19th-century quilts. At twilight, the view highlights the sculpture's dynamic geometry and vibrant terracotta tiles as a focal point in front of a glowing Thompson Center. The community: New funding and partnerships. Blog is expanding its local partnerships to support the next generation of Chicagoans both inside and outside the classroom. After School Matters. Blog is partnering with After School Matters, a local nonprofit celebrating its 35th anniversary that provides nearly 20,000 Chicago teens annually with paid after-school and summer opportunities. This fall, After School Matters will recruit teens for a 10-week program centered on the intersection of art and architecture. Inspired by the Thompson Center's design and surrounding architecture, the young artists will create a large-scale commissioned piece within the building's atrium, embedding local youth voices into the site's creative legacy. A Better Chicago. To further support Chicago Public School students, Google.org is providing $1 million in funding to A Better Chicago in support of "Every Day Counts." This new citywide initiative aims to strengthen student belonging and reduce chronic absenteeism in Chicago by 50% over the next five years. Its support will help community-based organizations on the ground provide vital services ensuring students have the support they need to stay engaged, attend school regularly, and reach their full potential. The future: A look at its next steps. Its vision for the Thompson Center is a place for daily inspiration with world-class art, innovative workspaces, direct access to CTA, an activated plaza, and the iconic atrium - complemented by its ongoing investments in Chicago's youth through public art and educational grant support. Blog is making strong progress on the transformation with its team, and plan to officially open its doors to Googlers, tenants and the public in 2028. Blog can't wait to welcome you inside. Posted in:

Leon Thomas, Clipse, Freddie Gibbs, Lil Uzi Vert & more set for Lollapalooza 2026. Charli xcx, Tate McRae, Lorde, Olivia Dean, John Summit, JENNIE, The Smashing Pumpkins and The xx are set to headline Lollapalooza 2026, which will also feature performances by Lil Uzi Vert, Turnstile, Sombr, The Neighbourhood, YUNGBLUD, Beabadoobee, Ethel Cain, Empire Of The Sun, Major Lazer, Zara Larsson, and much, much more. The legendary annual celebration of music takes place July 30-August 2, with more than 100 artists on eight stages, delivering four full days of music and interactive programming in Chicago's crown jewel, Grant Park. This year's lineup includes an exceptional roster of talent, providing something for every musical taste, with performances from Leon Thomas, Clipse, Geese, Freddie Gibbs, Wet Leg, WORSHIP, Blood Orange, 5 Seconds of Summer, Yoasobi, Viagra Boys, Snow Strippers, DJ Trixie Mattel, Cameron Whitcomb, Ecca Vandal, The Bends, Calder Allen, and many more. In addition to featuring K-pop superstars aespa, I-dle and CORTIS, this year's lineup also includes a phenomenal group of must-see breakout artists such as Audrey Hobert, Oklou, SIENNA SPIRO, Skye Newman, ADÉLA, Ninajirachi, Finn Wolfhard, and more. New this year, Lollapalooza is introducing several premium hospitality experiences, including the Northside Suites, Suites at Perry's, and the Speakeasy Lounge. Located at the Bud Light North Main Stage, the Northside Suites provide guests with a private, air-conditioned suite experience for up to 15 guests per day, complete with premium seating, a private rooftop viewing deck overlooking the stage and Chicago skyline, complimentary all-day food and beverages, and dedicated hospitality service. The Suites at Perry's will also offer a similar elevated experience at the festival's iconic dance stage, giving guests a private suite with rooftop viewing, curated dining, complimentary all-day food and beverages, and access to all VIP amenities throughout Grant Park. Meanwhile, the Speakeasy Lounge introduces a new private hospitality concept designed for groups of 25-75 guests, providing an exclusive, air-conditioned lounge with classic speakeasy styling, complimentary food and beverage service, and a dedicated concierge team, all while remaining connected to the energy of the festival. Lollapalooza's contribution to the City of Chicago leads all other festivals in the country. While the festival only takes place over one four-day weekend in the summer, its producer, C3 Presents, strives to deliver meaningful engagement programs and create positive impacts in the city year-round. Lollapalooza works to support the local community in various areas, with a focus on introducing Chicago youth to creative opportunities in the festival industry and reducing barriers to arts access in Chicago schools. As part of this commitment, Lollapalooza has invested over $3.9M in Chicago Public Schools arts education programs since 2021. This includes the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund, which provides grants to schools for the creation of arts programs and spaces. Together, these initiatives have expanded arts education access at over 100 schools and reached more than 65,000 students. In addition, Lollapalooza has partnered with local nonprofits including After School Matters, Community Goods and Yollocalli to integrate art by Chicago youth into the festival, hosts the annual Lollapalooza & Sueños Festival Job Fair to increase access to careers in the festival industry, and engages with the Chicago arts and culture community year-round through ongoing partnerships with Festival University, Teens in the Park Fest, the Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition, and Musically Fed.