Corporate Headquarters Architecture and Design
Pickard Chilton is internationally recognized for its expertise and sensitivity in the site selection, master planning, and design of corporate headquarters and campuses for a wide variety of prestigious clients. Since 2008, Pickard Chilton has designed corporate build-to-suits with a construction value of more than US $5 billion. In their careers spanning over four decades, the studio’s principals have designed, built, or have under construction more than 30 corporate headquarters and campuses.
ESG + Fortune 500 Headquarters Success
We offer deep experience in the design of contemporary and sustainable work environments for leading Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. Metrics gathered from our completed designs substantiate net gains in employee recruitment, engagement, and retention. Consistent and often dramatic results reveal the positive impact of the new facilities we have designed for our many Fortune 500 clients. These highly sustainable buildings are often in direct alignment with our clients’ ESG ambitions in terms of their ability to support employees, foster innovation and provide a safe and healthful work environment.
Latest Workplace Amenities
Pickard Chilton has collaborated in the design of some of the most dynamic, innovative, and collaborative workspaces nationwide. These next-generation workspaces offer more free-flowing environments that blur the line between work and private life. Professionals are increasingly working remotely, and the new workplace has become a place for collegial collaboration, face-to-face encounters, knowledge sharing, and team building. Today’s workers have greater expectations from their employers and more so from their work environments. New workplace models often provide innovative and collaborative design attributes as well as a variety of lifestyle amenities, including:
- greater access to daylight and natural ventilation
- personal comfort controls
- pleasant views
- exterior green space
- wellness centers
- common dining areas
- water features
- natural materials and finishes
- more conference and huddle rooms
- direct access to public transit
- on-site parking for both vehicles and bicycles
- proximity to residential units
Related Work
From ground-up developments to neighborhood revitalizations, here are some of the projects that will redraw the metro's skyline.
Seattle’s commercial real estate scene is defined by robust expansion and sustainable development. The metro’s strong economy—fueled by tech giants that support employment and population growth—is spurring demand for all types of properties.
8. The Eight
Another Skanska project currently under construction is The Eight, a 540,000-square-foot office and retail development in Bellevue. The 25-story project aims to blend into the neighborhood’s urban fabric while offering a dynamic and wellness-centric environment for its tenants.
“By integrating state-of-the-art health and wellness features, providing expansive indoor-outdoor spaces, and creating a hospitable lobby environment, we strive to help our tenants redefine their workplace, reinvigorating post-pandemic office models, while simultaneously enhancing the life of the neighborhood as a whole,” said Charlie Foushée, executive vice president & regional manager with Skanska.
Biophilic design in architecture, which integrates natural elements into the built environment, can significantly enhance workplace productivity by fostering a connection with nature that improves overall well-being and cognitive function. Studies have shown that incorporating features such as natural lighting, indoor plants, water features, and natural materials can reduce stress, increase creativity, and see up to a 20% increase in employee productivity.
Construction is underway on Mutual of Omaha’s new 44-story headquarters in downtown Omaha, designed by international architectural design firm, Pickard Chilton. HOK is leading the interior design, which will create a space accommodating a range of work styles, including in-person, remote and hybrid formats.
At approximately 800,000 square feet, the headquarters marks a significant milestone for Mutual of Omaha as the company expands its national reach and adapts to the evolving nature of work. HOK’s design creates a dynamic, flexible environment that promotes productivity, creativity and well-being while anticipating the changing needs of the workforce.
If the three towering cranes weren’t indication enough, Richmond’s downtown riverfront is literally on the rise.
The hillside around Tredegar is alive with the activity of two massive construction projects taking shape simultaneously: CoStar Group’s new office tower and campus expansion, and the Richmond Amphitheater venue from Coran Capshaw’s Red Light Ventures.
Animation by Steelblue
Designed to resist horizontal forces like wind, the shear core for the 44-story Mutual of Omaha headquarters is seen rising in downtown Omaha Monday.
The future Mutual of Omaha headquarters tower will have a crucial wind-resistance feature built in. It’s a common feature in tall building architecture, but constructing it in what will be the region’s tallest building requires a specialized device.
Rising from anchors deep underground, a concrete box-like structure called a “shear core” is taking shape in the center of the construction site at 15th and Douglas Streets.
The Pickard Chilton Travel Fellowship, awarded to individuals demonstrating exceptional promise in architectural exploration and research, provided Owen Marhefka, Pickard Chilton associate, with a unique opportunity to delve into the evolving landscape of co-working environments. With a profound interest in the convergence of architecture and modern workplace trends, Owen set out to examine the intricacies of co-working spaces across prominent cities. Through meticulous observation and analysis, Owen's exploration aimed to uncover insights into the innovative architectural features and client-centric approaches that define these dynamic work environments.
Richmond is one of the best cities in the nation for companies looking to relocate their corporate headquarters.
Why it matters: Corporate HQs bring jobs — generally "very good, high paying jobs," says Jennifer Wakefield, who leads the Greater Richmond Partnership, the metro area's economic development agency.
- Landing big-name projects in recent years, like CoStar's research headquarters and Lego's $1 billion manufacturing plant.
The most valuable core office projects to break ground over the past year.
For example, Mutual of Omaha contracted Kansas City, Missouri-based construction firm JE Dunn to build approximately 800,000 square feet of office, meeting, collaboration and amenity space, as well as a parking garage for its new 44-story headquarters tower in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, earlier this year. The contractor expects to finish the $495 million project in 2026.
Meanwhile, Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane and Milwaukee-based CG Schmidt will perform $500 million in interior and exterior renovations to the 540,000-square-foot Northwestern Mutual office tower in Milwaukee. The project will enhance the insurance company’s employee amenities and event spaces, as well as increase the usable square footage of the campus. It will also connect to a pedestrian plaza.
At a time when many business leaders questioned the need for office real estate, Northwestern Mutual CEO John Schlifske spent 2021 and 2022 weighing options for the company’s aging north building in downtown Milwaukee.
As Schlifske saw it, the Milwaukee-based life insurance company had three options for its north building: Tear it down and move employees to the company’s Franklin campus; demolish the building and rebuild a new one in its place; or renovate the existing building.
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We are passionate about our clients, our work, and the positive impact of every building we design. If you have a difficult design challenge, contact us to create a solution that realizes your vision.