Reimagining 1 Adelaide’s ground floor was driven by the owners’ vision to reposition a 30-story Class A office building and modernize it into an “urban living room” to enhance tenant and visitor experiences and strengthen competitive appeal.
Challenge
In response to post-pandemic office vacancies, the project transformed an existing office environment into an open, flexible, and welcoming destination. This included addressing structural constraints to increase openness, improving connections to the surrounding streetscape and PATH system, and meeting evolving expectations for comfort, accessibility, and amenity-rich workplaces.
Solution
A new material palette replaces the mirrored lobby with natural finishes, chamfered structural glazing, and a wood-lined canopy that bridges interior and exterior. Varied seating areas, integrated art, biophilic elements, and concierge services create an inclusive environment that supports diverse uses, while strategic structural interventions reduce columns and create expansive sightlines for improved openness.
Outcome
The design transformed the exterior forecourt, lobby, and connected retail spaces to prioritize comfort and flexibility. This transformation has increased foot traffic while reducing energy and maintenance costs. It delivers a modern, accessible environment that reconnects the building to the city and supports evolving tenant expectations.
To create a more inviting and expansive space, our multidisciplinary design team prioritized openness, flexibility, and comfort.
An open flexible design creates a more inviting and expansive space
Innovative structural solutions reduce columns while supporting heavy loads and cantilevers
The 1 Adelaide Lobby Repositioning is human-scaled and inclusive of all users, the project meets the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification standards.
A preserved moss wall incorporates biophilic design
A backlit turtle illustration by a local Ojibwe artist reflects a shared Indigenous origin story
A concierge desk fronts an 8-by-20-foot marbled mural that can be interchanged
