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Issue in Focus: Century and Consumers Buildings

Two historic State Street high-rises were seized by the Federal government in 2005 to expand their office holdings and create a security buffer around access points to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.

(Updated March 7, 2024) At issue are claims that re-occupying the Century and Consumers buildings poses unacceptable security risks to daily users of the neighboring Courthouse. The situation is coming to a head because Congress has passed a $52 million earmark for building demolition. There are reuse options that address these risks, however.

CAC supports a compromise that spares Century and Consumers the wrecking ball, avoiding the most high-profile downtown demolitions in years and the accompanying economic and environmental harms.

CAC Opinion: Saving State Street buildings would help revitalize downtown (Crain’s Chicago Business - subscription required)
Counter Opinion: Loop skyscrapers must be demolished to protect safety of Dirksen federal building (Chicago Sun-Times - Email sign-up required to view article)

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Background

It has been a long and winding road for the Century and Consumers buildings, but especially the last two decades as they have sat vacant while under Federal ownership.

As the Federal government now contemplates disposal of the buildings, it triggers a series of documentation steps and public hearings to assess the environmental and historic significance of the proposed actions. The work is further complicated because the Century and Consumers buildings are part of the Loop Retail Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Here are a few helpful resources to learn more:

What is the process for the Federal government to decide their next course of action?

GSA begins public process for Century/Consumers Buildings (Urbanize Chicago)
Century and Consumers Buildings Could Become Chicago Landmarks As Federal Officials Move to Demolish Them (Block Club Chicago)

What did the Federal government say they would do back when they acquired the properties along State Street?
Feds invade State Street (Crain’s Chicago Business – subscription required)

The Century and Consumers Buildings: Their Complicated Saga and the Precedent They Might Set (MAS Context)

What are designers and real estate professionals recommending to revitalize State Street?
Elevate State Street Technical Assistance Panel report (PDF)
This report was developed by the Urban Land Institute, with support from the Chicago Loop Alliance, and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.