Rye, NY TPG Architecture was retained to do pre-design work including research for Acadia Realty Trust’s new offices.

Rachel Starobinsky, TPG’s director of strategy and innovation, conducted visioning sessions, staff and user surveys, program interviews and development and test fits. The resulting report suggested that the company could fit into less space with as much comfort and functionality.

Acadia started its real estate search, occasionally bringing Starobinsky, along with Jim Doherty, principal at TPG, to offer opinions and join walk-throughs.

When the company found a potential new space at 411 Theodore Fremd Ave., they engaged TPG to conduct test-fits to understand feasibility before signing the lease. The test-fit suggested that Acadia could have vastly improved offices with a smarter plan, better circulation and a more cost-efficient lease; not surprisingly Acadia hired TPG for the full office redesign and then for a last design phase, creating a signature, branded environment.

The old offices in White Plains housed 101 employees in 40,100 s/f. The new space is 21,500 s/f but the staff has grown to 126 people. Acadia shed 50% of personal space and lost 41 private offices in the move, but both management and employees agree that the current situation is much improved.

The new offices are open, brightly-lit spaces that increase collaboration and allow for flexible growth. Employees now have access to a lively, centrally located café and an interior multi-purpose space that is almost always booked with yoga classes, meetings, and the occasional party or Friday afternoon cocktail.

Acadia’s CAO, Joe Napolitano, worked closely with the TPG team to drive a lot of the design; his goal was to have “the coolest offices in Westchester.” Trending materials such as polished concrete floors, cork walls in the café and felt-lined phone booths complement high ceilings and generous windows.

Yet another advantage of the move is the proximity to several major highways, useful for a firm that manages property statewide. In the exceedingly competitive world of commercial real estate, being able to attract top talent takes everything into consideration, including workspace. Since the move, Acadia has recruited excellent new talent and seen a 25% increase in productivity.