T
he General Services Administration is seeking a developer to redevelop two historic towers in Chicago's South Loop. JLL brokers Brian Carroll and Ed Chatmon will oversee the qualifications process for the Century Building (202 S State St) and Consumers Building (220 S State St), both early 20th-century properties that have been at the center of preservation efforts after years of uncertainty. The GSA has decided to repurpose these buildings, which were previously slated for demolition, following a redevelopment plan put on hold in 2017 due to concerns from federal judges.

    The redevelopment will exclude residential, medical, and religious spaces, with developers required to prioritize safety through measures like round-the-clock surveillance and restricted access. Past proposals have suggested archives or controlled-access functions that limit public access. Interested parties must submit their qualifications by January 31, outlining how they would approach the redevelopment in compliance with the GSA's guidelines.

    This decision marks a significant shift in the fate of these two State Street towers, which had an uncertain future after being purchased by the federal government in the early 2000s to create a buffer zone around the courthouse following a 2004 truck bomb threat.