By Amy R. Partridge
As a forward-thinking business with a strong company culture, Acadia Realty Trust knew its headquarters—in a bland space formerly occupied by a bank—weren’t quite matching up with its ideals. (In fact, one employee labeled the space as “soul crushing.” Ouch.) What to do? The firm, an equity real estate investment trust, turned to New York City-based TPG Architecture, which helped Acadia find, redesign, and brand its new space at 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue in Rye. Though suburban in location, the office design purposely reflects the fast-paced, urban feel that matches Acadia’s corporate image.
Photography by Eric Laignel
These “telephone rooms” ensure that employees still have private spaces despite the open-office layout. They are used for closed-door phone calls or discussions and as flex space for out-of-town employees working at the Rye office. The treadmill desk on the right is great for employees who want some exercise with their privacy. (Several employees also use standing desks.)
Acadia’s robust wellness program is well-loved by employees. Yoga sessions, boot-camp classes, and daily fitness challenges take place in this room. The bright, airy space is also used for birthday parties, holiday gatherings, and monthly trivia games.
No one gets excited about a meeting in “Conference Room A.” So Acadia branded all of its conference rooms after US cities where the company has a large presence (Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, etc.). Highlighting the cities—through artwork sourced by TPG Architecture—also helps reinforce the firm’s strength in property management and development across the country.
Among other features in the lively cafeteria area are these booths. Ideal for quick meetings over coffee or a fun lunch break, the booths are punctuated by playful graphics that emphasize the various cities in which Acadia owns properties (in this case, Chicago). The cafeteria is stocked with fresh fruit and other snacks, as well as a working gumball machine.
As part of the move, Acadia downsized from 55,000 square feet to roughly 30,000 square feet. The new space boasts an open floor plan—accented by windows on all sides—which fosters collaboration among its many departments.
