Design Firm LP & Co. creates an attractive and functional space in DC’s West End for client JMI Equity to help them attract top talent.
JMI Equity is a growth equity firm, focused on software companies, and is headquartered in both Baltimore, MD and San Diego, CA. For the firm to remain competitive among other private equity firms on the east coast, it must attract top talent. JMI found a challenge when recruiting positions, particularly among the young finance professionals – Baltimore was not as enticing as other east coast cities. As a result, JMI opened an office in Washington, D.C. in 2021. The strategy worked. The firm quickly outgrew the space and was looking for a larger footprint with the flexibility to build it to suit the firm’s needs.
JMI engaged JLL in its search for new office space. After many months of searching, they found an unfinished space in a brand-new building in the heart of DC’s West End at 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The building, designed by architect Pelli Clarke & Partners, is now headquarters to law firm WilmerHale. Because the space was not yet built, JMI and JLL were able to negotiate a turnkey suite, enveloped under the lease agreement.
The project was an approximately 11,000 square foot build out and features conference rooms, private offices, open-space workstations, phone rooms, a wellness room, a reception area featuring a coffee bar, and a state-of-the-art café.
For this project, there were many parties involved. Boston Properties manages the building at 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, and they hired OTJ Architects to design the interior architecture of the space and develop a fixtures and finishes plan. Davis Construction was hired to complete the contracting work. LP & Co., an interior design firm, was engaged to consult with OTJ on fixtures and finishes, as well as source furniture and art. LP & Co. also acted as JMI’s advocate and representative throughout the duration of the project, attending all meetings on behalf of JMI. MOI was also brought in to source furniture pieces from certain vendors such as Geiger, Herman Miller, and Knoll. JLL was hired to project manage the many vendors required such as AV, cabling, and signage. While there were many opinions, needs, and priorities to navigate, the team worked well together and delivered a beautiful result.
Project Planning
JMI’s c-suite (General Partners) were involved in determining the best location and environment for the new Washington, D.C. office. Employee concerns and needs were considered when deciding how the space would be laid out. It was determined that an open office plan with workstations, surrounded by perimeter private offices, would be the most productive work environment. Because the open office space did not allow for much privacy, phone rooms and smaller conference rooms were a must. Additional needs such as standing desks were incorporated into all furniture.
Project Details
JMI’s office suite features a wellness room for new mothers complete with a sink, storage, lounge chair, ottoman and end table. Additionally, all desks were outfitted with automatic standing desk capabilities to meet the needs of those employees who prefer to stand while working. In terms of branding, the reception area features a laser cut logo as well as a gallery wall of past deals JMI has completed. The space’s most unique features include a custom wall sculpture installation in both front conference rooms along with bold art throughout the space. Architecturally, the café looks out into the curved atrium of the building, creating a stunning visual effect.
Products
Tech Solutions
JMI Equity installed the Shure system for their microphone needs related to videoconferencing. Additionally, the conference rooms and open-plan workstation areas feature white noise transmitters. JMI offers hybrid work solutions, relying on videoconferencing for all meetings. The phone rooms in the suite allow those working from the open-plan workstations to conduct video meetings without distraction.
Overall Project Results
The finished suite space has improved morale among the DC office employees and is a key factor in attracting top young talent to JMI.
Contributors:
- OTJ Architects
- Davis Construction (contractor) – Scott Goodman
- JLL Project Management – Kyle Wilson
- LP & Co.
- MOI
Design
- OTJ Architects
- LP & Co. Design – Liz Potarazu
- Design consulting with OTJ Architects on fixtures and finishes
- Furniture design and procurement
- MOI – Tammy Heyman
- Furniture design and procurement
- Private offices
- Phone rooms
- All conference and task chairs
Photography
Photos by Peak Visuals
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