October 19, 2017

Old is New Again at One North Dearborn

As fitness centers and Wi-Fi lounges become increasingly standard in Class A office buildings, landlords often face the tough decision of how to use space: tenant amenities or leasable space?  Facing such a dilemma at One North Dearborn, Beacon Capital Partners engaged award-winning architecture and interior design firm Wright Heerema Architects to create another way to approach the challenge: repurpose floors previously dedicated to outdated mechanical and plumbing infrastructure, into useable tenant amenity spaces. The space no longer needed for infrastructure will now offer a tenant lounge, rooftop terrace and fitness center.

The WHA-led design brings the 938,000 SF building’s history to life, offering tenants an industrial, raw feel that incorporates sentimental attributes of the 100-year old building. The just-opened space is already making an impact on current and prospective tenants. In fact, 120,000 square feet of space was recently leased as the renovations were nearing completion, including a new spec suite.

WHA collaborated with multiple partners to bring the new design to fruition, including building owner Beacon Capital Management, The Telos Group, MB Real Estate, JLL PDS, MB Real Estate PM, Office Revolution and Bear Construction.

“We set out to create an experience for tenants that maintains the authenticity of this historic building, while offering modern design and amenities,” said Roger Heerema, Principal, Wright Heerema Architects. “The result of our collaborative process is a space with true character, that helps to set One North Dearborn apart from other downtown office towers.”

“The Works” offers office tenants a private health club environment. The design of the fitness center incorporates original building features, including an abandoned two-and-a-half foot diameter pipe at the entrance and red blast doors in the lounge area. With a dark, industrial design, the space evokes the feeling of a private health club.

Penthouse features spaces for socializing and collaborating. The top floor of the building, abandoned for the past decade, was renovated to include a tenant lounge with a bar, rooftop terrace and conference facility. The eclectic style of the lounge and terrace incorporates a variety of furniture types and seating areas, including both big open spaces and more intimate areas. A custom mural on the wall of the terrace pays homage to Boston Company Department Store, the building’s original tenant in the early 1900s.

New spec suite incorporates modern workplace design. In addition to the amenity floors, WHA designed a 14,000 SF spec suite on the eighth floor to bring a modern workspace to the multi-tenant floor. The floor now features an open, airy space with various options for collaboration.