Downtown Boston Workplace

A global private equity firm sought a new workplace in downtown Boston to support a five-days-a-week culture while connecting workers to teams around the globe. This fast-moving, confidential project called for a creative design approach that contends with an unusually rounded floor plate while upholding the company’s robust standards for privacy, technology, and quality finishes.

The design team crafted a repeatable, tightly planned strategy across five floors of a high-rise office building. The company’s 525 employees are set to benefit from hospitality-style amenities such as chef-driven dining and a barista program, complimented by flexible work areas and bespoke conference centers. The result is a Boston-specific expression of the company’s aesthetic, built around the everyday experience, safety, and productivity of its people.

The design takes inspiration from Boston’s historic waterfront.

The team took cues from the historic, industrial, and maritime character of the neighborhood. Curved soffits and reception desks reflect the curves of a boat or a harbor’s edge. Other abstract elements include a mix of materials inspired by rope textures and fluted stone columns.

Support spaces sit centrally, while workstations offer skyline views.

Focus rooms, huddle rooms, wellness spaces, and phone rooms form a central cluster. This approach maximizes daylight while maintaining the privacy expectations of a financial workplace.

Central social “hubs” make the curved tower feel intuitive and connected.

The hubs sit at the junction of the tower’s two geometries, creating an easy-to-find gathering point while reducing walking distance from desks. This placement turns an awkward planning zone into a daily destination—supporting connection and quick breaks without pulling focus from heads-down work.

High-end amenities make the five-days-a-week commute worthwhile.

The planning process unearthed the importance of food in bringing together the company’s employees. Diverse dining options sit adjacent to the roof terrace, while the barista program enjoys pride of place in the top-level amenity suite.

Engineering precision delivered quiet ceilings and efficient MEP coordination.

The company’s visual standards demanded near-invisible coordination. The raised-floor office space features fine-tuned acoustical performance, minimal ceiling-tile cuts, and seamless alignment of lights, sprinklers, and linear air devices.

Trust and adaptability kept momentum during confidential, high-stakes decision-making.

With the lease intentionally delayed and site access limited, the team advanced the design while managing client risk during sensitive negotiations. This partnership mindset, supported by SMMA’s in-house interiors and MEP engineers working as one team, helped company leaders to move quickly toward a workplace that meets both operational urgency and the daily needs of their people.