AmTrustRE recognized that while 1 East Wacker held architectural significance and prime location value, its public spaces felt static and outdated—lacking the emotional resonance, lifestyle amenities, and adaptability demanded by today’s tenants. With increased pressure to compete with newer, flashier developments, the team needed to redefine what a workplace lobby and amenity center could be: not just a pass-through, but a place people are drawn to. They sought a partner to help shift from simply leasing space to delivering an elevated, brand-aligned experience.
geniant approached the project with a dual-lens strategy: preserve the architectural gravitas while infusing the environment with tactile warmth, flexibility, and lifestyle appeal. In the lobby, we reinterpreted the masculine modernist palette—introducing charred oak, obsidian marble, and burnished brass for a timeless yet approachable effect. On the second floor, we designed a multifunctional amenity hub—an open, lofted event space featuring modular conference zones, a bar for tenant events, and a bold fitness center focused on personal well-being. Across both spaces, the design embraced hospitality principles, creating intuitive flow, emotional engagement, and moments of unexpected delight. The result is an ecosystem of experience that honors history while looking unflinchingly toward the future.