MDKA designs new 60,000 s/f office for Forex Capital Markets; Located at 55 Water Street; Assisted by Craven Corp.

Corporate interiors firm MKDA has completed a new office for Forex Capital Markets. The 60,000 s/f space comprises the entire 50th floor at 55 Water St. and features a large central trading area and over 400 custom-designed trading desks and workstations. "55 Water St. is one of Lower Manhattan's premier office buildings," said MKDA president Michael Kleinberg, who noted that the building is 54 stories and 3.8 million s/f. "With state-of-the-art operations and generous floor plates that bring Forex from two separate floors at another location to a single floor, the building suits the company's requirements well." MKDA designed the high-tech office space with a large central trading area and custom desks for traders, analysts and high-level dealers. The FXCM dealing department comprises a separate work area with telecommunications systems that support up to 12 monitors per position. "Forex required an extensive trading floor and numerous departmental adjacencies," said Stephen Chapman, founder and president of project management firm Craven Corp. "The project was a success due in large part to the seamless and in-depth coordination between MKDA, Craven Corp., the client, and various technical and professional consultants." Positioned at the perimeter, private offices, conference rooms and boardrooms incorporate full-height glass walls to allow natural sunlight to reach the central work area. According to MKDA director of design Daniel DeSiena, "Although the central work area is particularly dense, the availability of natural light and the use of low rise desking systems create an open and airy feel. The office entrance comprises a sizable rotunda that features wood flooring with a starburst design and display cases that showcase the company's history and achievements. A generous reception area and adjacent lounge feature marble-topped credenzas, views of New York Harbor, Japanese sliding doors, upholstered walls and monitors displaying financial information. A sizable pantry and breakout area provide harbor views and refreshments, enhancing Forex's commitment to employee wellbeing. MKDA is a corporate space planning and interior design firm that was established in 1959 by famed showroom designer Milo Kleinberg. The firm today has two locations—its headquarters in Manhattan and a second location in Stamford, CT. MKDA services corporations across industries, non-profits, government agencies, and commercial building owners. MKDA clients include Design Within Reach, Pernod Ricard, Heineken, Guggenheim Partners, Calvin Klein, GE Monogram, Harvest Partners, AICPA, Lowenstein Sandler and Wachovia, among many others. The firm is one of the most prolific interiors firms for landlords, servicing esteemed building owners Silverstein Properties, Vornado Realty Trust, SL Green and Normandy, to name a few. For more, visit www.mkda.com.