333 South Wabash Repositioning

HOK’s design transformed the iconic 333 South Wabash building, honoring its rich history while embracing the needs of a modern workforce. The reimagined lobby and amenities create a timeless, connected space that celebrates the building’s significance and positions it as a highly desirable workplace.

The cohesive, natural palette draws inspiration from mid-century office buildings, employing a carefully curated selection of materials. The architecture prioritizes an elevated, enduring aesthetic over popular trends, balancing the building’s tradition with contemporary tastes. This hospitality-focused approach emphasizes timeless features that attract employees, such as natural light, functional space and comfortable seating.

Our team reinvented the formerly dark, red granite lobby as a street-level “urbanscape lobby” encased in glass walls. Paving extends to the exterior, visually enlarging the space and connecting the interior with the activity outside. Dark stone on the floor and walls anchors the light-filled space, creating a clean, uncluttered backdrop. Backlit glass at the elevator vestibules and subtle variations in texture, such as honed and semi-honed materials, add depth and distinction while preserving the overall simplicity of the design.

A ground-floor coffee bar features a reflective surface mirroring the city’s energy. Its countertop seamlessly integrates into the adjacent monumental stair leading to the second floor. The large corner stair, linked by a continuous ribbon of white metal, draws users intuitively to key destinations, including a food hall, meeting spaces and a fitness center.

The updated design for 333 South Wabash connects the interior with the street’s rhythm and bridges the building’s past and future. The guiding narrative, rooted in respect for the building’s architecture, showcases a connected, simple and timeless approach as it evolves with new ways of work and the surrounding city.