Rochester NY is the birthplace of a proud list of the finest corporations in the world - including Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Lomb. Therefore, it was significant news when this global corporation, which owns some of the finest adult beverage products in the world, would relocate its headquarters to Rochester. Further, it was decided that this corporation would give life to a 154-year-old, 182,000 sq ft building complex known as the “Aqueduct building”. This complex, listed on the national historic register, is located at the edge of a beautiful Erie Canal aqueduct, as it crosses the Genesee River. This project included the complete restoration of six buildings dating back to 1870 – all work designed in compliance with NYS Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service. But the project was not to be a museum, rather it is a progressively designed, strongly collaborative integration of office, workspace, meeting space, and brand pride. The primary design intent was creation of a “magnet” to encourage employees to return to work, and to collaborate in person within this exciting destination. Key elements of the design include an entry experience that blends the historic building with this corporation, to create an immersive experience. As well as a meeting / collaboration center designed to feature outstanding space planning, product display, and AV communication tools for a cutting-edge world-wide communication and team experience. In addition, each floor has a meeting “hub”, vertically connected by a showpiece “corkscrew” stairway, blurring the lines between working, meeting, collaboration and socialization – overlaid with brand pride to create an exciting, welcoming, “hospitality” based experience for staff and guests.

Other features include a rooftop collaboration center with outstanding city views, as well as historically inspired skyline signage to promote the brand to the Rochester community, in the tradition of its preceding corporate giants.