Formerly a manufacturing neighborhood, Hudson Square is now attracting technology and media companies like Google, Squarespace, and Disney at a breakneck clip. A+I, in partnership with Hines, was asked to transform four building lobbies, rooftops, and adjacent underutilized real estate into comfortable, amenity-rich spaces where tenants and guests can relax, take an informal meeting, or grab a coffee and conduct business on the go.
Using a similar design vocabulary, each lobby applies a slightly different approach to the tenant and guest experience. Within the largest space at 75 Varick Street, a 15 foot-long bar encourages standing meetings perfect for taking advantage of high quality food and beverage retail on-site. At 225 Varick Street, distinct seating areas
located on a raised platform both engage the newly opened storefront and provide a series of intimate spaces for a small meeting or private phone call. At 155 Avenue of
the Americas, A+I celebrated the existing level changes by created two tiers of social spaces, a larger banquette surrounded by greenery near the reception desk and a more familiar seating area with oversized chairs further into the space, perfect for catching up on one’s email.
Together, the four lobbies and three roof spaces form a distributed campus that communicates a shared sensibility to the tenant and visitor. A+I used the existing architecture as a jumping off point, celebrating the muscular character of the manufacturing buildings, exposing columns and concrete wherever possible. These touches were softened with elements like a light grain wood reception desk and planters at 155 Avenue of the Americas, marble terrazzo floors and brass handrail elements at 225 Varick Street, and wood flooring that defines the social areas within the high-volume concrete circulation paths at 75 Varick. A colorful range of seating, accented by thriving plant life and well-selected artwork, encourages people to linger in all three lobbies and develop meaningful interactions outside the confines of the traditional office.
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