A+I partnered with Macquarie Group to design their Americas headquarters at 660 Fifth Avenue in NYC. As Macquarie celebrated 30 years in the US, the firm sought a workplace that would reflect its entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to the Americas, and evolving approach to work. The resulting 250,000SF headquarters reimagines the financial services workplace as a human-centered, adaptive environment that prioritizes wellness, connectivity, and sustainability.

Guided by a three-part vision—optimize access to light and air, support diverse workstyles, and maximize digital and physical connection—the design accommodates the fluid needs of a hybrid workforce. A modular infrastructure balances desking with a variety of alternative spaces that scale to departmental needs and shift with headcount. Despite structural constraints, open ceilings and light finishes create calm, expansive spaces, while lowered ceiling zones near the core define more intimate collaboration spaces.

At the heart of this vision is 'The Avenue', a cascading seven-story staircase that serves as the project’s primary architectural and social spine. Carved diagonally through the building, The Avenue links cafés, terraces, libraries, and wellness zones, transforming vertical circulation into a dynamic experience. It fosters ambient learning and informal encounters, which are key to Macquarie’s flat, collaborative culture, while also maximizing natural light and visual connectivity across floors. Though it occupies only 5% of the total floorplate, The Avenue’s strategic placement creates a powerful sense of continuity and openness within a building previously limited by low ceilings and a dense column grid.

Material selections were holistically evaluated for their environmental and sensory performance. The palette includes white oak, fluted glass, honed stone, soft textiles, and brass—materials that reference New York’s architectural vernacular while emphasizing tactility and warmth. Sustainability strategies, developed with Macquarie’s in-house team, prioritized products with recycled content, thermal and acoustic benefits, and low embodied carbon. Recycled PET felt enhances acoustic comfort in meeting rooms, while countertops and millwork incorporate recycled stone and paper-based materials.

The Avenue also serves as a wellbeing pathway, linking each floor to outdoor terraces that offer fresh air, daylight, and skyline views. Amenities such as meditation spaces, a music room, caregiver rooms, and bike storage are equitably distributed to ensure all employees have access to tools for rest, focus, and recharging. Zones with varied acoustics, lighting, and privacy support different workstyles and promote autonomy and inclusion.

The headquarters offers a flexible, resilient space that evolves with Macquarie’s culture and people. Thoughtfully designed to support growth and change, it reflects the firm’s commitment to its employees, clients, community, and the future of financial services.