Tall & Urban News

Two historic high-rises along State Street, the Century and Consumers buildings at 202 and 220 S. State St., will be preserved and redeveloped, as announced by the General Services Administration (GSA) in August 2024. This decision, detailed in a recent GSA report, follows public debate and a campaign by preservationists to save the buildings from demolition.

Originally acquired by the GSA in 2007, the buildings have been vacant and were earmarked for demolition last year with 52 million USD in federal funds to create a security buffer around the nearby Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. Preservationists proposed alternative uses, such as an archives center, leading to the GSA’s decision to explore redevelopment options.

The GSA’s report emphasized that the buildings cannot be converted into residences or any use requiring outdoor access. A request for proposals will be issued to find new uses that meet security requirements.

The Century Building, a 16-story structure designed by Holabird & Roche, opened in 1915, while the 22-story Consumers Building, designed by Jenny, Mundie & Jensen, opened in 1913. Both buildings are significant examples of the Chicago School of architecture.

The GSA previously issued a request for proposals in 2015 and received a 141 million USD redevelopment offer from the city of Chicago in 2017, which was later withdrawn due to security concerns.

Local preservationists achieved a preliminary landmark status for the buildings last spring, sending a strong message to federal officials about the city’s desire to preserve them. Despite years of vacancy, the buildings maintain their architectural integrity and potential for adaptive reuse, according to Landmarks Illinois.

In addition, the GSA used 3.2 million USD from the demolition funds last year to tear down a collapsing three-story building at 208-212 S. State St. between the two towers. The timing of the redevelopment is uncertain, but the project could revitalize a stretch of State Street with many vacant storefronts and buildings.

Learn More about this project at Crain's Chicago Buisiness