2014’s Best Office Makeovers?

Last week CBRE workplace associate Meredith Bell gave us a tour of CBRE’s new digs at 321 N Clark St, which opened this fall. The 61k SF space is the largest CB office globally to implement its new “Workplace360” strategy. That means its 350 employees are 100% free address (no assigned seating on-site) and everyone’s gone paperless. Change management was a lengthy process, Meredith says, and employee engagement has been key. Snapped: The office’s mixed-media art installation by Pilsen artist Chris Silva, its electronic room reservation system (for the inevitable heads-down time) and employees working in a collaboration area.

Pictured: Employees gathered around one adjustable stand-up desk in their “neighborhood” of the office (they’re named after Chicago ‘hoods), the lunch crew and CBRE’s special photo wall where employees can showcase their personality, given the new clean desk policy. (Personal items are stored in lockers.) Employees stayed looped in on office updates via related committees (furniture, health, art, etc.), and as a result were able to be up and running in just four hours on their first day in the space, Meredith tells us. And after one month in, many say they’re holding more meetings given the ease of such varied, community focused and high-tech workspaces.

Do you work in a commercial real estate office that had a serious makeover in 2014? Send pictures and a description of the updates to marissa.oberlander@bisnow.com and we may feature you next!