Originally built like a fortress in 1927, Detroit’s Federal Reserve Bank Building now enjoys a new purpose. Bedrock Real Estate Services, LLC challenged ROSSETTI to design an open, light-filled ground floor space for retail, and eight floors of modern office space in the 176,000 SF building.

The classic revival style building is also distinguished by its glass annex, designed by Minoru Yamasaki in 1951. Its pedigree and location in the downtown Detroit Financial Historic District presented ROSSETTI with opportunities and challenges to preserve the building’s integrity while transforming it for 21st Century functionality. Vacant since 2004, the Federal Reserve Building welcomed ROSSETTI as its first tenant in 2013.

ROSSETTI’s new office design is based on an urban studio loft concept. The 13,000 SF is space planned into a series of open, workplace scenarios that encourage collaboration. A lab for design ideas, the office celebrates the bones of the building through natural patinas such as distressed wood, concrete and metal that bring the beauty of each substrate to the forefront. The office also features several “third place” areas where causal furniture vignettes allow employees other options for meetings and brainstorm sessions.