Aragon Construction to build 55,000 s/f office suite for Royce Funds

New York City's premiere general contracting and construction management firm, Aragon Construction, has been tapped to build a four-floor, 55,000 s/f office suite for the Royce Funds, a successful small cap mutual fund. The office space, which will house the company's New York City headquarters, is situated on floors 21 through 24 at 745 Fifth Ave. According to Aragon, the mutual fund company had outgrown its 30,000 s/f office space at 1414 Avenue of the Americas and plans to sublet its existing space and expand into this new building, which offers superior amenities and state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical systems, after the renovation is complete, around March 1. "This large-scale renovation is expected to be complete in just 15 weeks, therefore we have had to collaborate very closely and frequently with the other teams on this project in order to deliver this project on time. I have no doubt that our teams will deliver the anticipated results, and that the mutual fund firm will enjoy many successful years in this new office location," said Aragon Construction executive vice president Richard Hartz. Aragon is building a handful of special features within the space, including a wood-clad internal staircase that will join together the contiguous floors of office space and also lead to two terraces. The construction firm is building a main reception area on the 23rd floor and lobbies on the other floors as well as conference rooms, private offices, open work areas and a large trading desk area, which features a cooling system that regulates equipment temperatures by circulating chilled water. On the 21st floor, Aragon is building a gym, featuring a special platform that absorbs sounds and vibrations, with an adjoining locker room and showers. Additionally, Aragon will build a bicycle storage facility, LAN room and pantries on each floor. A lighting expert was consulted to ensure that light levels throughout the space comply with NYC energy codes. High-end audiovisual equipment is also being installed throughout the space. Architecture firm Ted Moudis Associates has given the entire space a warm, traditional design scheme that includes extensive oak wood flooring in the main reception area as well as oak wood wainscoting and molding throughout. Optima Vector ceiling panels, a state-of-the-art lighting system, and furniture systems by The Atlantic Group are being used throughout the space. "Royce has a strong brand and presence in the mutual fund industry, so it is critical that the new space reflects the same successful design scheme utilized at the firm's previous location," said Emmanuel Enriquez, an associate at Ted Moudis Assoc.