CREJ

26 / 104

26 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / JUNE 2017
W ith the goal to own
its own building in
an eclectic Denver
neighborhood, Unique Proper-
ties chose the former Girl Scouts
Headquarters Building at 400 S.
Broadway to be its new home. This
1965, three-story, brick building bor-
dering the West Washington Park
and Baker neighborhoods was the
opportunity the group was looking for
to represent its brand and culture. The
firm’s vision stretched beyond the ex-
isting narrow windows, low ceilings and
graffitied brick to see the potential of this
building as a space to support and inspire
employees and guests.
Two design firms were enlisted to collabo-
rate on the building’s transformation. Exteri-
or modifications, including the roof deck, were com-
pleted by Kenny Davis Architecture and the interior
building design was provided by Gensler.
Before ever picking up a pen to start drawing, it was
critical that the design team dive into what makes
Unique Properties tick. What are its overarching busi-
ness goals, how can they help the company improve
its business; what is the culture; what keeps the team
up at night? Early explorations revealed that the No.
1 driver for this work-hard/play-hard group was that
the space support employees and, in doing so, attract
and retain the best in the industry. The design team
dug a little deeper into the culture and provided in-
dustry research and insight to better understand what
that meant for Unique Properties’ space. The team
found that, beyond supporting the daily work-specif-
ic needs of the staff, the space needed to inspire and
promote overall employee well-being. A push was
needed beyond the typical building amenities to in-
corporate elements throughout the design that would
provide employees the ability to participate in healthy
activities throughout their day.
A critical design move is immediately apparent
upon entering the parking lot. Gone are the narrow
vertical windows of the former building. Now, large,
expansive windows allow natural views and daylight
to wash the interior and connect the building occu-
pants to the neighborhood. All exterior offices and
conference rooms feature full-height glazed interior
walls, allowing sunlight and views to penetrate deep
into the space, reaching all occupants.
Upon entering the sunlit lobby atrium, there is a
buzz of activity. Natural light and transparency in
the adjacent areas welcome visitors and staff into the
Christy Headlee
Interior
Designer,
Gensler
ELEMENTS End User
Hospitality features and finishes support the firm’s brand and enrich the employee and guest experience.
The stair is the central artery of the building, encouraging
movement and interaction throughout the day.