The federal government is reviewing submissions from developers interested in revamping its vacant high-rises on State Street that date from the early 20th century. But numerous obstacles could bar improvements to the buildings regarded as a blight on Chicago’s historic shopping thoroughfare.
The General Services Administration said it received responses from developers interested in working on 202 and 220 S. State St. The U.S. agency, a property manager for the federal government, declined to reveal details about the responses. The GSA had a Jan. 31 deadline for the submissions.
Quintin Primo III, founder and executive chairman of Capri Investment Group, confirmed that he replied to the GSA. Primo told the Sun-Times in August of his interest in restoring the buildings.
This week, he said his overall idea is the same: Convert the buildings into collaborative archives space for nonprofit and religious organizations. “We believe there is significant demand for that type of storage,” Primo said.
The plan, which has backing from the group Preservation Chicago, could alleviate the concern that the buildings pose a security risk for the neighboring Dirksen Federal Building. Access to archives can be tightly controlled.
“We certainly can meet these requirements in terms of surveillance, lighting, access and the like,” Primo said.
The GSA would rule out converting the buildings into uses it deems problematic for security, such as a hotel or residences.
The agency wants to retain ownership while giving a developer a long-term lease. Also, the buildings could no longer have sight lines into Dirksen.
Citing those restrictions, some developers have steered clear of the buildings.
John Murphy, whose Murphy Development Group has restored vintage buildings, said he toured the State Street properties several years ago and noted their disrepair.
“They’re derelict,” he said. “The government should tear them down and leave an open plaza on State Street.”
The GSA has offered wiggle room to developers, saying it would consider “deviations” from its property restrictions if security concerns can be met.
“I would think there is a fair amount of interest in these buildings,” Primo said. “I’m sure there will be some housing and hotel proposals.”
Preservationists and business interests represented by the Chicago Loop Alliance have called for the buildings to be restored. Replacing them with a plaza, they said, would deaden retail trade on State Street and worsen security for Dirksen by exposing more of its windows, some connected to jury rooms or judges’ chambers.
The GSA said it’s reviewing developer submissions this month. It wants to issue a request for lease proposals, calling for more detailed plans and financing estimates, this summer. Its goal is to execute a lease in the fall.
The terra cotta-clad sites are the Century Building, 202 S. State, and the Consumers Building, 220 S. State, notable examples of how skyscrapers evolved and part of the federally recognized Loop Retail Historic District.
The GSA originally wanted to tear down the buildings but had a change of heart after public hearings revealed support for their reuse.
“We’re keenly interested in the resuscitation of that portion of State Street,” Primo said. With developer Michael Reschke, his firm has gutted the James R. Thompson Center to turn it into Google’s Chicago headquarters. The duo also wants to convert the former base of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, 400 S. La Salle St., into a data center.
Citing those projects and JPMorgan Chase’s investment in its headquarters, Primo said downtown is shaking off the effects of remote work. “I really think we will not recognize the central Loop within the next five or six years,” he said.
Primo declined to mention potential partners or estimated costs of his proposal. He said in August his plan might cost more than $100 million and require tax credits and other government subsidies.
A redevelopment also would include a four-story building at 214 S. State. The space between the towers could become a common entrance and lobby.
The GSA acquired the properties in 2007 as a security buffer but has been criticized for letting them decay. It has funded façade work, and in 2023, tore down a three-story building at 208 S. State because it was adjudged a hazard.