Bently Holdings’ San Francisco Corporate Headquarters
NicholsBooth Architects has recently completed the renovation of the corporate headquarters of Bently Holdings, a private asset holdings and management company located in San Francisco’s 240 Stockton Street building (at Maiden Lane).
The newly renamed Bently Union Square is a striking 10-story art deco-style structure, and home to Bently Holdings’ corporate headquarters. Bently Holdings is a local private asset holdings and management company, operating under strict green business practices, focusing on investment in historic and architecturally significant buildings.
Under the meticulous direction of owner and CEO Christopher Bently, designer Gary Nichols of NicholsBooth Architects drew inspiration from the building’s storied façade for the fresh, modern interiors. Featuring operable picture windows that afford tenants abundant natural light and magnificent views of Union Square, Christopher left no stone unturned with high-tech amenities, green and sustainable elements, and comfortable yet luxurious finishes.
Of Bently Union Square’s 50,000 square feet of prime office space, Bently Holdings comprises the 7th and 8th floors. Its reception area was designed to look and feel like the concierge of a five-star hotel, representing the company’s warm culture and inviting atmosphere. The original exposed steel columns grace the office hallways, which were unsheathed of concrete and treated with a unique method of fireproofing: intumescent paint. FSC-certified recycled Ash wood was used for the ceiling, and copper crown molding and soffits accent the space with art deco period patterns. A stunning large walnut conference table was constructed by a Berkeley craftsman from a street tree in Chico, Calif. that had been removed for safety reasons. Employees also enjoy custom-designed ergonomic desks, and were each encouraged to choose their own task chair.
Among its many sustainable characteristics, Bently Holdings’ office features 100% high efficiency dimmable LED lighting in all open office and reception areas, reused and refurbished materials (most collected within 500 miles of San Francisco), and Energy Star appliances. All lighting, telephony and audio/visual is automated, controlled by the Savant platform via an iPad. With Christopher’s keen mandate for all current and future vacancies to be built out and certified to LEED Silver level or higher, Bently Union Square is officially certified LEED Gold EBOM, and the BentlyHoldings’ space is even pursuing LEED Platinum certification.
Built just after the 1906 earthquake, Bently Union Square has rich historic ties to the city. This was substantiated when construction workers found old newspaper clippings inside the windows and stopgaps during demolition, displaying articles about highway bandits in San Jose, 3 Stooges and Busby Berkeley reviews, residential real estate listings, and food and stock prices.
Design: NicholsBooth Architects
