By Amy R. Partridge
When IAC Applications relocated its corporate headquarters from downtown White Plains to this three-story, 40,000 sq ft Yonkers space in 2013, it was because of the location’s combination of historic style and modern convenience. After a renovation designed by Ferris Architects of Westport, the space — originally built for the Otis Elevator Company in 1853 — now houses 140 employees, all of whom collaborate on IAC’s popular suite of products, including desktop utilities, browser extensions, and mobile applications. The space well reflects the company’s fun-loving, creative, urban vibe.
The cafe, right off the roof deck(and near the ping-pong table and arcade!), serves several purposes: It’s a communal dining area, a space for one-on-one brainstorming sessions, and the de-facto gathering spot for company-wide meetings and happy hours. (Other fun internal events include holiday parties, office Olympics, various lunch-and-learn sessions, and bring-your-dog-to-work days.)
A graffiti wall, painted by Klaugus Gallery, funks up this conference room. Other conference rooms are also uniquely adorned: One has a LEGO wall; another boasts oversized, gilt-framed classical paintings with anachronistic modern-era details.
As a company with creativity and innovation in its DNA, having an open-office workspace concept was a must. The leadership team wanted to be sure the space would promote the cross-pollination of ideas among the various departments housed here, which include marketing, technology development, creative, sales, and customer support, among others.
The former Otis Elevator Company building still holds its red-brick charm. Though IAC operates in the digital era, its redesign stayed true to the building’s original aesthetic. Employees love the location — walking distance to the Yonkers train station — and the building’s dedicated parking lot.
Rooftop drinks and yoga, anyone? The roof deck, overlooking the Hudson River, is a favorite among employees. It’s used for meals, meetings, social events, and Wednesday evening yoga sessions — as well as an impromptu outdoor workspace.
This striking nook, near the main-floor kitchen, serves as another eating-and-meeting space. Food perks include daily bagels and fruit, a catered lunch once a week, pastries on Thursdays, and a well-stocked snack pantry.
