525 West Monroe

525 West Monroe, an L-shaped building at the corner of West Monroe and South Canal in Chicago’s West Loop, features a conical lobby that extends from the building into the front plaza. MdeAS was tasked with enhancing the building’s main presence at the pedestrian level and refreshing the lobby for the modern workforce.

City Chicago, IL

Year 2023

Size 13,000 sq ft

Client Tishman Speyer

Design Partners Michaelis Boyd Associates, Daniel Weinbach & Partners Ltd.

A Warm Welcome

The former plaza was spacious but lacked functionality for tenants and guests. MdeAS and landscape architect Daniel Weinbach introduced the human scale by adding large planters integrated with curved wooden benches and soft lighting, inviting visitors to take a moment outside before, during, or after the workday. Inside, landscaped planters with integrated seating subdivide the expansive lobby area, creating pockets for work, relaxation, and socialization.

“With the reimagination of the lobby and streetscape at 525 West Monroe, we wanted to enhance the building’s main presence at the pedestrian level. As employees, guests, and passersby approach 525 West Monroe, they are greeted with open, inviting, and lushly landscaped seating areas and lighting,” said S ebastien Coles, Director, who led the project.

Revitalized Reception

Designed in collaboration with Michaelis Boyd Associates, the building entry received a cohesive refresh. By repainting the exposed structure and storefronts a warm grey color, the interior now ties harmoniously to the exterior. A light, perforated screen of the same color clads the upper walls that look down into the atrium. In order to mitigate noise within the voluminous space, soft textures and lush landscaping act as modes of sound absorption, while wall-integrated speakers provide a curation of sound. The resulting atrium has an airiness and tranquility that was missing from the former space.

Additionally, by relocating the reception desk to the center of the lobby, 2,300 sf of underutilized space behind it has been reimagined as a flexible building amenity. Acting as a “third space” this area provides a change of scenery for office tenants. A mix of lounge seating and high workstations creates the perfect environment for a quick meeting or focused work. A curated art wall and fluted wood detailing give the lounge an elevated air of hospitality.

The Foyer

Adjacent to the lounge lies a new, full-service, all-day café: The Foyer. Named one of Chicago’s best new restaurants of 2023, it supports the activity in the building with coffee, grab-and-go offerings, and a full restaurant and bar with table service.

The Foyer is partitioned from the main entrance of the lobby by the back wall of the interactive planters. Here, quick seating transitions to formal dining as the material palette of the lobby gives way to cognac leather and rich subway tiling. Designed as a destination separate from the office, it is accessible to the public and has a dedicated entrance from the street and an outdoor seating area.

"We are proud to have been able to continue improving the customer experience within this important building and to create an engaging amenity for the modern workplace said Mike Zaborski, Principal.