After more than 30 years of service, the 18-story HSBC Tower was at a crossroads. The building, considered a class C space, was inefficient, had low occupancy rates and its mechanical and electrical systems were nearing the end of their lifecycles. Class C office buildings and spaces are designated as older, outdated and typically undesirable spaces. The project team and client faced the task of determining the best approach to improve the value of the building in the most effective, sustainable and cost-effective manner.   

Instead of demolishing the existing building and starting new, the team proceeded with a complete exterior and interior redevelopment of the 317,000-square-foot office tower. The building was gutted from top-to-bottom until only the base structure remained. To improve the building’s performance and function, we reconfigured and re-cladded the exterior, including the podium level; replaced every mechanical and electrical system with new, energy efficient technologies; redeveloped the main lobby interior; and rehabilitated the 9-story parking structure.  

Modernizing an office tower is an effort that covers many scopes of work including: 

Building Envelope: replace the entire curtainwall system with a triple-glazed and tinted envelope to reduce solar glare and provide floor-to-ceiling windows to improve light penetration into the building.  

Mechanical and Electrical Systems: install new high-efficiency mechanical systems with heat recovery, efficient cooling with increased thermal zones for improved occupant comfort and lowered operating cost. Upgrade electrical to include daylight harvesting with perimeter light dimming, occupant sensors to increase efficient lighting and use of LED lights to reduce cost.  

Tenant Experience: improve the tenant experience with elevators updated with destination dispatch technology, addition of eye-catching architectural features and inviting, sophisticated re-massed two-story lobby that includes six digital media boxes, and a fitness and conference center. 

The redevelopment was a great investment for the owner, developer and community. The result is a more sustainable, distinctive and best in class AA office building with dramatically improved performance and comfort for occupants. Proceeding with a development instead of a demolition and complete rebuild allowed the property to be ready for tenant a year early, which greatly improved the owner’s return on investment.   

The tower is targeting LEED Gold and WELL certifications.