Marking Success: AllianceBernstein’s New Office Headquarters
In 2018, AllianceBernstein (AB) announced it would be moving its New York City headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee. The global investment management firm chose Layton Construction to complete the 205,000sf high-end build-out within Nashville’s newest mixed-use complex, Fifth & Broadway.
As part of the STO Building Group (STOBG) family, our business model is built on the connections we have with our clients. We don’t just build spaces; we build relationships. To this end, we prioritize reliable coordination, transparent communication, and creative problem solving in the hopes that owners will continue to work within the family in the future. By balancing these elements during a complex project in an unprecedented time, the Layton team encapsulated these values throughout the entirety of the AllianceBernstein project in a multitude of ways—resulting in a lasting relationship that spread to other STOBG entities.
DETAILS MATTER
AllianceBernstein is a multi-billion-dollar firm that desired high-end finishes throughout their eight stories, including robust A/V capacity and monumental staircases running through every floor. The space also features 5,000 light fixtures, brick accents, and a combination of carpet and polished concrete floors to round out a modern feel.
Designed and built to be flexible, the office’s top floor houses a large multi-purpose room, pre-function area with a large format LED screen and complete bar, multiple meeting spaces, a full catering kitchen, dining space, and a double-height conference center. The office areas feature open-concept workspaces and breakout rooms to facilitate a collaborative work environment. Demountable glass partitions, which were built off site and transported for installation, will allow AB to reconfigure the space in the future if needed.
The sensitive nature of AB’s business required specific acoustical considerations to retain privacy and confidentiality. Layton worked closely with architecture firm Gensler
to source appropriate wall coverings and acoustical panels for the workspaces that fit within the aesthetic AB and Gensler desired. Ultimately, FilzFelt, a wool material product from Denmark, offered the greatest variety to fit with the overall office vision while remaining functional. “We, in concert with Gensler, program manager Gardiner & Theobald and AllianceBernstein, explored ways to create a space that was conducive to the type of work environment in which AB operates, most notably one that possessed the necessary functionality while limiting sound transmission and remaining creative in visually separating the spaces,” said Brooks Rutledge, vice president of Layton’s Healthcare Group and main relationship point of contact for AB.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
The data-heavy nature of AB’s business requires a robust cooling system for the servers and complex computer equipment within the space. At the request of AB, Layton coordinated with the base building contractor to install a separate critical load cooling system on the roof of the building. This system works in addition to the building’s equipment as a failsafe to not overload the standard cooling system.
In order to successfully execute the additional system, Layton worked strategically with the base-builder and ultimately chose to contract directly with their structural engineer to maintain continuity and familiarity with the project. This allowed Layton to seamlessly coordinate with both teams to complete critical elements of the project, including structural redesign and demolition for the monumental stair in addition to accommodating the increased weight for the additional chiller.
Working with AB, Layton executed an early release package to source the chiller and properly coordinate with the appropriate trade partners and structural engineer for installation. We also had to coordinate with the base building contractor to ensure relevant trades had completed necessary work prior to installation. Further complicated by COVID restrictions and long lead times, coordination and communication between Layton and all involved parties was paramount.
The building location on Broadway, the busiest street in Nashville, created another element of coordination not commonly found in a tenant finish project. The AB space occupies the top eight floors of the 24-story Fifth & Broadway building. To safely maneuver the chiller to the roof, the Layton team coordinated with both building and city officials to place the chiller via helicopter. This required not only a comprehensive delivery plan but also completely closing Broadway during the low-level helicopter flight in the middle of the night.
SETTING PRECEDENTS IN UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMSTANCES
As with most construction projects, the team typically encourages architects, owners, and owner reps to physically visit the site. However, construction on the AB space began during the COVID pandemic. With no client site visits, Layton developed a detailed plan of communication, 3D modeling, and virtual StructionSite walk-throughs to keep AB informed during every step of the construction process.
“This project set many precedents, not the least of which was a scope implementation free of a single visit by owner, architect, or program manager until such time as occupation was imminent. Meetings were held virtually through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or FaceTime— whatever it took,” said Rutledge.
Due to COVID complications and the complexity of the project in general, Layton’s coordination with the base-building contractor began early. The team conducted multiple constructability reviews, developed step-by-step plans for coordination with the base-building contractor and structural engineer, and extensively planned for the added difficulty of a top floor, multi-level build-out on a tight site.
BUILDING STRATEGIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
Project relationships are multi-faceted, and this project was no exception. Given the multiple elements that contributed to the complexities of the project, the Layton team took a particular focus in maintaining positive relationships throughout design and construction. “Gensler did a great job of helping Layton visualize the details to develop and cater to the needs of the space. Working with the trade partners to develop these details and see them brought to fruition was no easy feat. However, despite the hurdles, everyone worked together as a team and created a space in Nashville that is unparalleled,” Rutledge said.
With Rutledge providing client insight and lessons learned at the helm of the client relationship, the AB build-out is a testament to the STO Building Group (STOBG)’s values. While this project was filled with unexpected hurdles, through creative solutions and communication, Layton was able to craft a space AB is happy to call home.
Project Details
Location: Nashville, TN
Size: 205,000sf
Client: AllianceBernstein/Gardiner & Theobald
Engineers: Robert Derector Associates, Consulting Engineers; Cerami; Stanley D. Lindsey & Associates, LTD (structural engineers); Next Step Design Group
Architect: Gensler
Sector: Commercial
Completed: August 2021