Global Financial Services Firm

Headquarters Workplace Strategy and Phased Renovations

Chicago, IL | 70,000 SF

This global financial services firm engaged IA to re-envision its 500,000-square-foot headquarters in the heart of Chicago. Partnering with the firm’s executive leadership, real estate advisors, and internal stakeholders, IA developed a comprehensive, transformative headquarters strategy.

Executive workshops, employee surveys, and visioning sessions explored how the workplace could better support collaboration, technology, and the employee experience while honoring the firm’s legacy of stability, service, and trust. A strategic analysis led to specific renovations as pilots for testing new workplace concepts, technology integration, and hybrid-work schemes. IA designed areas on key floors that delivered immediate value, laying the groundwork for future phases.

On level 5, the first renovation phase transformed a former, underutilized kitchen into a highly sophisticated conference and meeting destination. The design supports executive, client-facing, and hybrid meetings, while prioritizing equity between in-person and virtual participants. Meeting rooms are shaped by technology rather than convention. Room geometries, table configurations, sightlines, lighting reflectance, and acoustics were studied to ensure optimal camera views, screen visibility, and audio performance. Hexagonal, angled, and rectilinear room types were tailored to specific meeting formats, with acoustic panels integrated as functional and architectural elements.

The polished, hospitality-driven design also features a central lounge that acts as both circulation hub and informal collaboration zone, supporting movement between dining, meeting, and social spaces.

On level 8, the second phase supports the firm’s digital user experience and IT teams—groups that had been largely remote and needed a compelling reason to return to the office. Designed as a flexible, hybrid floor that balances structure with choice, employees can book workstations, offices, project rooms, and collaboration spaces based on daily needs.

At the heart of the floor is a large commons area that functions as a social hub, all-hands meeting space, and zone for individual work. Exposed structure, dimensional graphics, and layered lighting give the floor an energetic, tech-forward character distinct from more traditional areas of the building. Glass partitions that maximize daylight reinforce transparency and connection, while maintaining acoustic and visual privacy. A range of collaboration environments from informal open areas to acoustically tuned conference rooms supports diverse work styles, underscoring the firm’s shift toward flexible, activity-based working.

On level 12, the next phase focuses on the wealth management team (previously dispersed throughout the building), emphasizing the client experience, pride of place, and a timeless elegance with a highly tech-forward aesthetic. Social and business lounges, discreetly concealed support spaces, and client conference rooms with layered lighting create a welcoming, residential-quality environment. Throughout the floor, experiential graphics and curated details add depth without overpowering the architecture, creating a space both contemporary and enduring.

The headquarters transformation represents a strategic, phased journey, each completed floor demonstrating that targeted investments can modernize the workplace experience, support hybrid work, and reinforce brand identity while minimizing disruption. And it establishes a flexible framework enabling the headquarters to adapt over time—aligning real estate decisions with business strategy, workforce evolution, and market conditions.

The success of these phased renovations positions IA as a long-term strategic partner working with this client to evaluate future renovations, consolidate leased space into owned assets, and incrementally create a more consistent, cohesive workplace across a legacy building.