Hodgson Russ Offices – New York City

Firm
  • Client Hodgson Russ,
  • size 20,000 sqft
  • Year 2017
  • Location New York City, New York, United States,
  • Industry Law Firm / Legal Services,
  • MKDA has updated the design of a historic building to serve as Hodgson Russ‘ new law offices located in New York City, New York.

    The 20,000-SF workplace MKDA completed for law firm Hodgson Russ, LLP on the 23rd Floor of 605 Third Avenue features references to the firm’s 200-year history, and unique design elements borrowed from a Buffalo, NY landmark building, The Guaranty Building, owned by the law firm.

    Designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler and designated a National Historic Landmark, the 1896 building features a steel skeleton with vertical piers between windows, ornate terracotta facade ornamentation, and a cornice that explodes in tangles of leaves and vines.

    The design team selected finishes and fixtures to reflect building’s ornate patterns and themes. The team, for example, commissioned a metalworker to reproduce a pattern from the facade into layered bronze metal panels to be used to divide the glass office fronts, blending historic and modern elements to create special details.

    The elevator lobby features marble hexagon floor tiles bordered with bronze transition strips, and tropical olive wood framed elevators. A clean row of linear light fixtures float under ceiling clouds made of wood, directing visitors from the elevator lobby into the office interior.

    The reception area and conference center features custom black-and-grey carpet tile to create a contiguous connection between the two distinct areas. The reception area features a custom desk made of wood and stone, and a seating area with a brandy leather sofa and matching club chairs. Foldaway glass walls wrap the two conference center boardrooms, while a Skyfold partition divides them down the middle. With collapsible glass Halcon conference tables, the boardrooms can be completely open to the reception area to create a spacious and cohesive event space.

    A beautifully appointed cafe sits between reception and the work area, creating a bridge between public and private spaces. The cafe features custom millwork cabinetry, blue upholstered seating, crystal pendant lights, backsplashes and laminate flooring in patterns that echo The Guaranty Building.

    Private glass-fronted offices are fitted with Geiger furniture and height adjustable desks, while Allsteel workstations in the open areas feature glass stackers to keep the space light and airy. Light grey carpet with geometric patterns were run down the corridors; textured wall coverings with color pops and writable wallcoverings were used in collaborative areas.

    DesignerMKDA
    Design Team: John Giuseffi, Daniel DeSiena, Corinna Spoto, Chris Carotenuto
    Contractor: Clune Construction
    Photography: Garrett Rowland