Professional services firm Citrin Cooperman has a new Manhattan office located at the famed Rockefeller Plaza. Designed by Spectorgroup, the space can accommodate growth, and brings employees together in a more cohesive way—something that was lacking at the former location on Fifth Avenue. “They were spread across seven floors, and because of inefficient planning, the teams were disjointed. We saw firsthand how that was hindering collaboration,” said Lauren Gardner, director of creative and strategy, Spectorgroup.
Gardner explained that it took six months to develop workplace standards for Citrin Cooperman, which included gathering information via online surveys, observational studies, and interactive visioning workshops. The architects not only had to anticipate the company’s own expansion, but also any potential acquisition of other firms.
Photography by Connie Zhou
At 110,742-square-feet, covering an expanse of two full floors and a partial third, the larger area was ideal for additional headcount, but this was just one element to consider. “We made sure that sections could be instantly turned into a different working solution for people within the space. That became a facet of each part of the floor plan. We tripled the efficiency with our design,” said Scott Spector, principal of Spectorgroup.
Even with a significant amount of data on hand, Gardner noted that future needs weren’t quantifiable, and reliance on a formulaic strategy would be a misstep. “Factoring in their growth, that wasn’t just a percentage we could easily apply to the numbers, knowing that they would probably acquire another company a year from now. We didn’t want them to have the same problem that they had in the previous location, so that flexibility was important.”
Even though the office was envisioned pre-pandemic, Gardner said that from the beginning, Citrin Cooperman’s leadership envisioned a hub where the staff would collaborate both in the office and remotely, so the layout and features lend themselves to the hybrid schedules that are becoming more common. “They knew that they wanted a culture in the office, and we designed for that, but the employees also have the option to work hybrid.”
The technology in the office supports detail-oriented work; with accountants poring over spreadsheets, multiple screens were essential. Video-conferencing equipment was updated, so that whether participants are in the office or offsite, the meetings are inclusive. With the most up-to-date computers available, Citrin Cooperman has avoided the expense of continual upgrades. “Everything that we installed is still there, nothing has changed, and that was a key piece of the puzzle,” Spector said.
Individual offices were made smaller, but the central areas of the offices are more inviting, with a hospitality-style look and feel. Visitors now have an enhanced experience when they enter the workplace, instead of being tucked away in a far-off conference room. “They have a large consulting division, so we wanted to create this welcoming lounge right off of the elevator. By placing it within a conference zone it is truly client-facing. People have everything they need in this environment.”
The result is anything but typical for a corporate setting, and a marked change from the prior surroundings. “Their original space was very beige. We actually showed them two concepts for the color palette and the overall aesthetic. They went with the one that was a little bit more vibrant, a little bit edgier.” Gardner noted. The exposed brick, paired with pops of blue and red brings a balance between modernity and comfort. Mirroring the abundant views of the iconic site, black-and-white images of New York City throughout the space add a touch of nostalgia.
The collaboration between the two firms continues, and Spectorgroup is designing Citrin Cooperman offices across the country. Five have been completed so far, and Spector noted that with each comes a greater, almost intuitive understanding of their requirements, even as they continue to evolve. “We are actually working with them and looking at their entire portfolio to add in a more robust hoteling factor. They are promoting this cross-office coordination to continue to accommodate their remote workers.”
Yet no matter the locale of the next Citrin Cooperman office, it will have a similar essence to this spot in the center of the city. “This is a space designed to bring people together, and it creates this positive energy that is conducive to our new ways of working,” Gardner added.
