The headquarters for Shake Shack renovates a print building on Varick Street in New York City into creative office space with an open floor plan. Maintaining much of the original architecture, the space uses a variety of natural materials set against whitewashed walls and amplified with black accents. The renovation additionally includes the company’s Innovation Kitchen and a Shake Shack restaurant on the ground level, where new recipes are developed and tested.

It was important to Shake Shack that their brand culture was represented in their space. The office is designed to support the company’s commitment to hospitality and collaboration. The CEO’s office is designed with windows on two of the three internal walls and divides the employee workstations from the Park – a large lounge space that pays homage to Madison Square Park, which is where the company’s first restaurant was located. A custom light fixture by Warbach sprawls through the space, designed to be reminiscent of the iconic string lights found at the original Shack in the park. Abundant plants, large windows, organic warm woods and curated furniture reinforce the connection to the park. A large staff kitchen featuring hand glazed tile, end-grain walnut butcher block counters encourages group dining and social activities amongst team members. Offices and breakout rooms are available for the staff to reserve to provide quiet working areas when needed. There is also a library space for silent working or reading. Acoustically absorptive light fixtures and carpet are incorporated into the work and conference spaces.

A live-edge walnut reception desk welcomes visitors and sets the tone for the office experience. A white oak and black steel benching system provides over 200 seats defining individual workspaces. Custom tables in the conference rooms and breakout tables are surrounded by the iconic Shake Shack chairs and stools that can be found throughout, reinforcing the company’s brand. A careful curation of additional furnishings include comfortable leather and green fabric upholstered sofas and chairs supporting a variety of gathering opportunities and work functions.