Louis Hedgecock, managing partner
of BBG-BBGM

The internationally renowned architectural and interior design firms BBG-BBGM know the importance of creating a functional space. After all, the firms' mission is "to design thoughtful and innovative environments that meet clients' needs."

The firms have extensive expertise in the design of mixed-use complexes, including luxury urban hotels, resorts, high-end residential towers, retail, and corporate office buildings. In addition, BBG-BBGM are recognized leaders in the hospitality design field and consistently rank in the top five hotel design firms worldwide.

Naturally, BBG-BBGM's search for a new location for its New York City office was carefully considered, and ultimately led to the decision to relocate to a 30,000-square-foot floor in the iconic Empire State Building.

According to managing partner Louis Hedgecock, some of the factors that influenced this decision include the floor plate size and configuration, which "are conducive to consolidating our firm to increase communication and efficiency, reduce redundancies, and increase productivity and design." Currently, BBG-BBGM's employees occupy three different floors at 515 Madison Avenue, where the New York office has been located since its founding in 1984.

Mr. Hedgecock adds, "As international design firms, we feel that it is essential to be located in an internationally known building, and the Empire State Building is the most famous office building in the world." Furthermore, Mr. Hedgecock notes that the current renovations and upgrades at the property, coupled with the neighborhood's substantial revitalization, influenced BBG-BBGM's decision to relocate to the property.

BBG-BBGM's plans for the new space, which boasts "excellent daylight and views," include creating a "green" working environment. Specifically, the firms are seeking a Silver LEED® Certification for their new office space. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the nationally accepted benchmark for environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of green buildings.

LEED® promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. According to Mr. Hedgecock, "BBG-BBGM would like their staff to work in a space that reflects the firms' core values and culture, both of which embrace sustainable ideals."

In addition to New York City, there are BBG-BBGM offices in Shanghai, China; Sydney, Australia; Washington, DC; and Scottsdale, AZ. The firms employ more than 200 people, providing architectural and interior design services for projects all over the world, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South America, Europe, Russia, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States.

For more information about BBG-BBGM, please visit www.bbg-bbgm.com.

A Q&A with Mitch Arkin, BBG-BBGM's broker, click here.