Redeveloper sought for State Street’s historic Century & Consumers Buildings

GSA

A cluster of historic, long-vacant buildings in the heart of the Loop may soon change hands and start once again contributing to the vibrancy of Chicago’s State Street. Currently owned by the US Federal Government’s General Services Administration (GSA), the structures at 202-220 S. State Street are being eyed for potential adaptive reuse. Acting as an intermediary for the GSA, the City of Chicago recently has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) in hopes of selling the older buildings to a well-qualified private redeveloper.

According to the city, the following government-owned properties will be up for grabs:

202 S. State St.

Designed by Holabird & Roche and completed in 1915, the 16-story Century Building has 68,200-square feet of commercial space. Proposals to renovate the building are required.

212 S. State St.

The three-story, 11,499-square-foot John R. Marshall Co. building opened in 1920. The architect was Marshall & Fox.

214 S. State St.

The six-story, 7,200-square-foot structure opened in 1886. Its architect is unknown. Proposals should maintain its historic storefront at a minimum.

220 S. State St.

Designed by Jenny, Mundie & Jensen and completed in 1913, the 22-story Consumers Building has 198,400 square feet of commercial space. Proposals to renovate the building are required.

Though the site carries hefty DX-16 Downtown Mixed-Use zoning that could support a new skyscraper on the site, it’s clear from the language above that the city is keen to see both the Century and Consumers Buildings preserved along with the storefront of 214 S. State. Contributors to the Loop Retail Historic District, the structures previously appeared on Preservation Chicago’s 2013 list of most endangered buildings.

In addition to seeing the towers renovated and reused, Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development has listed improvements to the pedestrian experience along State among its goals for the project. The city’s RFP is due May 1st of this year with a master developer expected to be announced later that month.

GSA

GSA

• 202-220 S. State St. Request For Proposals [City of Chicago]
• What's The Deal With 202 South State Street? [Curbed Chicago]
• Preservation Chicago Releases 2013 Most Endangered List [Curbed Chicago]