Authentic New York City Experience
It was of the utmost importance to this reputable global financial firm that when their employees travel from city-to-city, they can truly experience each city they are visiting. Seeking to recreate an authentic New York experience, they decided to relocate from Midtown to Flatiron. The new space provides a double-height penthouse with skylights and large windows framing views of Midtown South, Madison Square Park and the Manhattan skyline. In addition to the abundant skylights and expansive windows, the building’s existing architectural bones of exposed beams, ceilings and concrete floors allowed MKDA to successfully instill a taste of New York City into this industrial space.
The design concept emphasized sophisticated, modern collaboration spaces that would have a timeless aesthetic as well as additional room for their anticipated future growth. The team strategically decided to select a single floor for its current personnel and set aside the second floor for expansion and social events.
Chic Loft Style
Inspired by the firm’s minimal yet powerful visual brand, the design team used a basic black-white-and-gray color palette with pops of firm’s corporate red and desaturated jewel color tones to add polish and a worldly sophistication. Hung vintage and contemporary artwork and planters fill in the white space while materials in various textures add interest. The town hall area has a custom rug that references the firm’s brand colors as well as the firm’s commitment to the use of research and scientific data.
The 20th floor landing sets the tone with a light-infused and loft-inspired canvas reminiscent of a museum with polished concrete floors stained a warm dark grey; a clean and minimal reception desk with an illuminated logo; two elegant seating areas with plush custom rugs and mirrored copper globe lights; and a coffee bar and lounge.
Tucked away behind the reception desk, and beneath the skylights, MKDA devised an industrial-inspired deconstructed staircase with blackened cable rails set in a black metal frame and dark thermally treated treads and risers. Upon descending, employees reach the firm’s expansion space and social hub. The space is similarly open and airy with reconfigurable tables for collaboration, a coffee bar and cafe lounge. It also features turn-of-the-century penny arcade machines, a restored Space Invaders arcade game, and showers and lockers to provide a fun escape.
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