CREJ

M arble floors, high ceilings, security desk, lounge seat- ing. The traditional formu- la for the corporate office lobby is long overdue for an update, but in today’s office market, it’s more than an aesthetic imperative. As the urban office market continues to work toward a comeback, the big winners in leas- ing right now are the newer, larger, amenity-rich properties. To effectively compete for the modern office tenant, older build- ings must go beyond merely check- ing the box of updating their lobby space with a fresh coat of paint and new furniture – even beyond adding some of the more popular amenities like a rooftop deck or café space. Leaning into the building’s context and acti- vating the lobby in new ways with both programming and memorable design are key to creating an office property that not only competes but stands out from the crowd. n Rethinking the purpose of the lobby. Over the last two years, there’s been a massive reevaluation of space when it comes to the tenant foot- print. Whether or not a company is returning to a hybrid environ- ment, through our work with both large corporations and small to mid- size businesses in the Workplace Studio at OZ Archi- tecture, we’re see- ing a preference for smaller, more efficient office foot- prints. At the same time, expectations for the work environment have never been higher, as companies are looking to entice the workforce back into the office. For older office buildings, this can be an oppor- tunity. Repurposing the typically underutilized square footage in the lobby to provide amenities like a gym, café and lounge, spaces to entertain and collaborate, or even host all-hands meetings allows ten- ants to accommodate what their workforce wants without having to allocate 25% or more of their own square footage. Our recent work at 1660 Lincoln in downtown Denver is a great exam- ple. We transformed an underutilized INSIDE Market trends PAGE 8 New office trends emphasize tenant migration away from the central business district Tracy Boyer, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP Principal, Interior Design, OZ Architecture March 2022 PAGE 10 PAGES 17-26 A hybrid convert Confessions from a convert who now sees benefits to workplace flexibility Industrial section Market updates from across the state as well as a highlight on workplace trends Please see Design, Page 15 Amanda Johnson, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Principal, OZ Architecture Lobby repositioning requires activated, memorable designs Werk Creative The underutilized first- and second-floor lobby space at 1660 Lincoln in downtown Denver was transformed into an expansive amenities space with a lounge and coffee shop, as well as a coworking area, a 48-person conference room, a game room with an arcade, a flex fitness area, outdoor patio and bike storage. The effect is that the lobby becomes an extension of the office, providing in-demand offerings and a means of attracting and keeping both tenants and their employees.