Brown and Crouppen King’s Hill Headquarters

HOK designed Brown & Crouppen’s new headquarters on The Hill, a historic St. Louis neighborhood. The project transformed a 1910 Magic Chef stove factory into a modern office space for Missouri’s largest injury law firm. Completed in collaboration with Third Man Development, the adaptive use project breathes new life into this historic structure while meeting contemporary workplace needs.

The building, which had sat underutilized for nearly 50 years, presented several challenges. It had survived a fire that destroyed an adjacent connected structure and needed extensive updates to meet modern office standards while preserving its historic character. Another challenge was that the building had no parking, and part had to be demolished to make room for 150 parking spots.

Brown & Crouppen wanted a workspace that would entice its employees back to the office after extended remote work during the pandemic. The new environment needed to compete with the comforts of working from home while supporting the firm’s hybrid work model.

The dynamic, loft-inspired environment departs from traditional formal legal offices. HOK’s design creates spaces that engage the senses and promote creativity and collaboration. With a blend of dedicated offices and flexible sit-stand workstations, the design accommodates varying occupancy levels on any given day.

The design retains many original features of the building, including the tongue and groove structural wood floors and roof decking. These elements were cleaned and left naturally finished, lending a warm glow to the space. Exposed brick walls and wood columns further preserve the structure’s industrial character.

In a creative reuse of materials, the team repurposed nearly 1,500 feet of solid copper bars found in the building. Originally used to power manufacturing equipment, these bars were cleaned, cut and incorporated into the new design as wall cladding, entry signage and pickets for a monumental staircase.

To balance the industrial aesthetic with the needs of today’s employees, HOK introduced a neutral, warm material palette. This includes custom graphic wallcoverings, a mix of exposed concrete and textural patterned carpet on the floors, and strategically placed acoustic wall coverings.

The design converted a vintage Airstream trailer into a conference room, adding a whimsical touch to the office. Another conference room uses exercise bikes for chairs. A 3,000-sq.-ft. courtyard, visible from the reception area, provides an inviting outdoor space for work and relaxation. The space also includes mini-golf greens.

For more traditional office functions, HOK designed high-tech conference spaces and daylit deposition rooms that reflect the seriousness of Brown & Crouppen’s work while integrating hospitality elements for clients. The office includes a training facility, private meeting areas and a mezzanine that serves as a library and workspace.

A central town hall space flanks a newly integrated internal stair, serving as a hub for collaboration and community. Other amenities include a fitness center with showers and locker rooms, an event space and a recording studio.

By relocating to The Hill, Brown & Crouppen maintained its long-time commitment to St. Louis while moving to an area rich in history and local amenities. The renovated building, now called King’s Hill, is a beacon of renewal for the neighborhood.