Spectorgroup has completed the Manhattan office of investment firm Man Varagon (previously Varagon ), with sweeping views of the cityscape. The design balances tailored and exposed elements to create an inviting place for both staff and visitors.
While day-to-day business is the focus, the workplace also doubles as a location for entertaining. “Hospitality is at the forefront of their ethos; they like to host their clients and have events for employees. And they wanted a space that was serene and felt light and fresh,” said Sara Agrest, design director, Spectorgroup.
Located in the former Condé Nast Tower, the building offers unparalleled vistas, prized in a city like New York. “The iconic location in Times Square was a definite draw, and a factor in the selection of the building,” explained Lauren Gardner, director, creative and strategy, Spectorgroup.
The idea of capitalizing on the views shaped the designers’ vision for the office, a space with a sense of lightness and transparency throughout—looking to nature’s forms for inspiration. An atoll, a ring-shaped coral reef, was, Agrest said, the starting point. “Everything about the concept seemed right for this project, with the ocean almost being like the sky, and people are looking out at this expanse,” she noted.
In many workplaces, the front desk is close to the entrance and can typically be found right off of the elevator banks. However, for this office, to highlight seeing the city in a new way, a change was in order. “The area where you come in is really the heart of the space, and here we did something different,” Agrest explained. “It is usually a much shorter distance to get to the reception area. We flipped it the other way so that it is a bit of a longer walk, but it builds the anticipation. When everyone comes in, they are greeted by the view.”
A pill-shaped area on the right called the pavilion features meeting space, and there is a private dining room at the end of the corridor for client and employee happenings. “If you look out that window it is almost like you can almost touch the New Year’s Eve ball. We just saw it as a celebratory New York moment in that spot,” Agrest noted.
Yet even with sections that are designated as private, there isn’t the traditional separation between management and the associates. “There’s a new level of accessibility,” Agrest said. “In the past all of the executives were in one wing. And now they are on either side of the floorplan, with the hospitality section in the middle. It feels more balanced, it’s not so hierarchical.”
Transparency is a key element of the company culture, echoed in certain parts of the office, namely the open ceilings. Not readily embraced by more conservative institutions, the leaders at Man Varagon were willing to take risks with their design choices, which was a pleasant surprise for the Spectorgroup team. “In finance firms, they don’t want anything raw, and all of the ceilings are closed. They actually wanted to have some exposed areas above, for a little bit of edginess. I think that speaks to their authenticity, and we looked at some areas where we could have that contrast,” Agrest said.
Although many companies are focused on the addition of more sections for collaboration, because of confidentiality issues, at Man Varagon’s office there was a need for visual and acoustic privacy and spaces for heads-down work. Rather than a designated open zone, a main breakout area with huddle and phone rooms provides a quieter environment. “There are private offices along the perimeter, and there are also L-shaped with partitions that are not too high, for the individual, focused work that is being done,” Gardner noted.
Agrest said the overall effect conveys subtlety rather than a pretentious or a specific look that would need to be continually updated as styles or preferences change—classic without being basic. “It is tasteful and put together but it isn’t overtly anything. The finishes are about supporting the furniture and fixtures without being overly designed or too tech-y. There’s just the right amount of minimalism and warmth.”
While offering an aesthetic that aligns with Man Varagon’s values, the interiors enhance interactions and feelings about their work. “They wanted us to maximize the experience on a modest budget. So we were creative with the materials and had the advantage of the views, which make such a big impact,” Agrest added.
