Pumpkin spice and everything nice. The Primera Chicago office is welcoming Fall by moving into a new comfy and cozy office space. While we’re sad to say goodbye to our nearly 20-year-old digs, we’re excited about our continued growth and more flexible workspaces. As all our employees continue to work remotely, our Chicago office admin team has been diligently working to get our current office packed up and ready to be moved just a few blocks away. An official announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
Primera’s new headquarters is an attractive, modern spec suite located on the 6th floor of 550 W. Jackson, an 18-story office building directly across from Union Station and three blocks from Ogilvie Transportation Center near downtown Chicago. The decision to move satisfies the need for a space that provides our Chicago employees with a more flexible and open environment reflective of our company’s culture. “Culture and values are a much bigger thing for tenants these days, for both small and large businesses. Everybody is starting to realize that your workplace is something that you have to pitch when you’re trying to retain staff or recruit new people,” said Tom Zurowski, Eastlake Studio’s founding principal. “It’s not just about impressing clients anymore; it’s as much about recruiting as it is anything.”
Eastlake Studio is the suite’s architecture and interior design firm. The modern interior space boasts full access to natural light, a mix of private and public spaces including a large open lounge at the center of the space for lunch, hanging out and gaming, LED lighting throughout, and open workspaces with sit/stand desks for all employees. After signing on the spec suite, Primera had the opportunity to make some minor renovations to customize the space for our needs.
The building itself also recently underwent renovations and added new penthouse-level amenities including a tenant-only fitness center, boutique style lounge and open seating. The ground level renovations include a newly expanded lobby with coffee and conference amenities, a bike room, and retail space.
Our move to the new office building will be official as of November 1, 2020. Despite employees currently working from home, our Chicago folks are excited and looking forward to a fresh start when returning to the office in the future. Here are some of their thoughts about the new space:
| “I am eager to be in a more modern office space with a fluid and flexible environment. I hope it will bring more openness, communication and creativity across the board.” |
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| “I can’t wait for a fresh, new start after the pandemic…. new spaces = new ideas.” |
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| “It’s exciting to be moving into a space that fully reflects the company we’ve transformed into over the past five years. With values centered on people, relationships, and collaboration, we needed a bright open space that allows us to connect with one another on a level that the space we moved into more than 15 years ago just wasn’t designed for. I think this will be a monumental move for the growth of our firm.” |  Matt Dvorak VP of Marketing |
| “I am thrilled about how much daylight is in our new space – I think it will be a better, healthier environment to work in. I am also looking forward to our divisions being more centralized with one another and think it will lead to better collaboration within each division.” |  Deborah Steimel-Clair Lighting Studio Manager |
| “I am looking forward to working in the new space with that fresh new car smell all around! The new standing desks will be a great option for all. I am also excited about all the bright, natural light we get with all the windows.” |  James Gira IT Vision Administrator |
| “No more tall cubicle walls means more opportunities to see my co-workers!” | 
Nour Zaki |
| “I am going to enjoy the building’s amenities as well as the updated office furniture. I am really looking forward to smoother, more productive working relationships with a good floor plan that works for all our divisions.” |  Matt Villanueva Lead Roadway Engineer |
| “I am excited about having a gym located right in our new building, so now I don’t have to walk in the cold winter days during lunch to our current gym!” |  Adri Amelianovich Accounting Analyst |
| “The office location could not have been any better! As a Metra commuter, I am excited about not having to walk outside except to cross the street to get to work after my train ride. “ |  Joe Avram Aviation Group Manager |
Our new Chicago office address will be 550 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60661.
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