Gensler
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Overview

This financial services firm defies expectations with a dynamic and amenity-rich design that blends sophistication and social energy to celebrate the firm’s culture.

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Client

Opportunity

A pivotal merger created the opportunity to bring teams together in a workplace that celebrates the firm's culture while supporting its next chapter.

Spanning eight floors and 225,000 square feet, the headquarters challenges conventional
expectations of a financial services workplace. Rather than rows of private offices, the design
prioritizes openness, flexibility, and hospitality, with a mix of touchdown areas, libraries, phone
rooms, and huddle spaces. Reception desks on every floor, cafés, and an in-house IT support
hub create a seamless daily experience, transforming the office into a welcoming destination
that reflects the firm's culture and supports the evolving needs of its people.

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Why This Matters

  1. 01

    A Workplace Worth Choosing

    Today's employees expect more than a desk. They want environments that support connection, wellbeing, and flexibility. Creating a workplace people genuinely want to use is essential to attracting and retaining top talent.

  2. 02

    One Culture, One Team

    Bringing employees together after a merger required more than co-location. The new headquarters creates shared experiences that strengthen relationships, reinforce culture, and foster a stronger sense of belonging.

  3. 03

    Built for the Future

    The project balanced immediate employee needs with long-term business priorities. A modern, high-performance workplace supports operational efficiency, environmental goals, and the firm's continued evolution.

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Solution

Hospitality became the design lens, replacing conventional workplace norms with welcoming, experience-driven spaces that support employees throughout the workday.

The new workplace pairs the sophistication of a hotel with the energy of a social hub. Private, window-lined offices gave way to open, inclusive spaces with touchdown areas, libraries, phone rooms, and huddle spaces that support a range of work styles. Reception desks on every floor provide welcoming points of connection, while cafés and an in-house IT support hub bring hospitality into the everyday experience. At the center of the headquarters, a dedicated amenity floor brings employees together with a full-service café, executive boardroom, multipurpose space, and expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the Boston skyline.

Impact

The new headquarters has become more than a workplace: it is a destination that strengthens culture, reflects the firm's values, and invests in its people.

Since opening, office attendance has increased, and the headquarters has become a vibrant
venue for employee gatherings, client events, and meaningful connections.

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What Changed Because of This

  1. 01

    Employee Experience

    Open, inclusive spaces and hospitality-forward amenities create a more welcoming workplace designed around connection, flexibility, and a more engaging daily experience.

  2. 02

    Culture and Connection

    The sculptural stair, cafés, shared settings, and amenity floor bring people together, turning everyday movement and gathering into part of the workplace experience.

  3. 03

    A Distinctive Workplace

    Warm materials, bold accents, skyline views, and unexpected spaces replace the traditional corporate office with a dynamic environment that reflects the firm’s culture.

Kimberly Kelly

This global financial firm envisioned a headquarters authentically rooted in place, with a hospitality-driven design that is more reflective of its forward-thinking mindset.

Kimberly KellyDesign Director

Recognition

01

Interior Design

Gensler won the Commercial Cafe/Cafeteria category at Interior Design's 2025 Best of Year Awards for its Confidential Financial Services Firm project.

FAQ

01

Where is this project located?

The headquarters is located in Boston's Financial District, placing the firm within one of the city's most vibrant and evolving business districts.

02

How large is this workplace?

The headquarters spans 225,000 square feet across eight floors.

03

What makes this workplace different from a traditional financial services office?

The design replaces private, window-lined offices with open and inclusive spaces, while bringing hospitality-driven amenities, cafés, social settings, and a dedicated “third place” into the workplace.

04

What is the “third place”?

The dedicated amenity floor is designed as a place for gathering, resetting, and recharging. It includes a showcase kitchen, full-service café and barista bar, executive boardroom, multipurpose room, and expansive terrace.

05

How does the design support events?

The amenity floor combines flexible dining and lounge settings with a multipurpose room and 7,000-square-foot terrace. The café and bar can transition from daytime coffee and casual fare to a fully catered bar for evening events.