When multinational investment company BlackRock decided to relocate the staff from all of their offices in Manhattan to one central hub, it was more than a simple move. The 4,000 New York-based employees are now together, for the first time in the asset manager’s 36-year history, in an expansive Hudson Yards workplace designed by NBBJ. “It was a big milestone, and they wanted to ensure that this new environment reinforced the idea of one BlackRock,” said John Gunn, corporate practice lead at NBBJ.
How do you begin to create seamless cohesion in a 970,000-square-foot space? With the city’s street grids as inspiration, complete with areas for work and social activities. At the heart of the headquarters, a spot the designers dubbed Central Park, includes a glass-enclosed staircase that rises through the site’s 15 stories as a connector which encourages people to move throughout the campus. “The stair starts to activate people and offers options for various work modes,” Gunn noted.
Hues were carefully selected to reflect what each location is designated for, witha a palette that takes its cues from nature. Pops of color alternate between green for focus, blue for alertness, and orange for activation. Not only are the tints refreshing, they also help to create a sense of place rather than cookie-cutter sameness on every level.
Each office floor is anchored by two public plazas, with amenity sections and informal gathering spots. In these particular zones, there are unique ceiling treatments and finishes that complement the signature tones. The largest spaces are destinations within the office, from the 400-seat auditorium to the dining hall. There are also cozy nooks, like a library on the 12th floor.
Photo by Eric Laignel
Whether large or small, the spaces are multipurpose. “Hyper-functionality was a requirement from the beginning, so we introduced a raised-floor system,” Gunn explained. “Excluding the core and fixed perimeter constructions, everything else is modular.” Indeed, the 14-inch floors are paired with under-floor power and data, plus reconfigurable furniture. The reconfigurable walls allow users to form modules to accommodate groups from 100 to 250 and up. During the build-out, individuals were already experimenting with arrangements in different locations, without the need for added construction, but a quick change to layout.
Even the cafeteria, a favorite place for the employees to gather, is used for more than mealtimes. Furnishings can be moved out to make one larger open space, and roll-down screens and projectors are used for seminars and other events. Availability of the areas and amenities without having to leave the premises is truly one of the best perks for busy employees. “BlackRock wanted to create a special destination for their employees, with great offerings within the office and the 50 Hudson Yards footprint,” Gunn added.
The illumination in the workspace itself is another standout element that enlivens the headquarters, while providing the essential adaptability that everything else has. One Lux Studio was the second firm hired to design the lighting. While the first scheme was adequate, the client was willing to push the envelope further. “BlackRock was asking for both an aesthetic solution and a technologically advanced one,” said Stephen Margulies, partner at One Lux Studio.
Integration is key, with balanced lighting across the deck, from interior to exterior. A recurring starry sky element continues the emphasis on corporate unity, while the trading floor is surrounded by expansive, daylit social sectors, contributing to staff well-being—and earning LEED Platinum certification.
Margulies looked to streamline, which meant installing less (close to half the amount of fixtures on tap at the start) and ditching endless miles of cable. He specified Lutron’s cloud-connected Athena control system and wireless nodes, which eliminates the hassle and expense of a total rewiring job when the slightest change is made. Now, it only takes reprogramming if a new lighting plan is necessary.
In such a vast workplace where efficiency was prioritized, the team was still able to infuse areas with some fun, too. “There’s a sense of delight, and more than the average or what you might expect in a typical office,” Gunn said. “These spaces serve to function, but also to really uplift people.”
