Title: Barings World Headquarters
Location of Proejct: Charlotte, NC
Project Completion Date: March 2018
Firm Name: Progressive AE

Short Description: The expansive world headquarters for investment management firm Barings spans 205,000 square feet and seven floors in uptown Charlotte’s newest skyscraper, 300 South Tryon. Designed to inspire employees, provide flexibility, and connect the organization between the various floors, the office is serving as the standard for all future Barings office locations.

A “Vertical Campus” concept was used to promote and foster interaction across the organization. The campus is designed around an open, internal staircase that creates opportunities for employee collaboration between floors.

Architect's Statement: In 2015, Barings, formerly known as Babson Capital, embarked on a plan to develop a global headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a leader in financial services, Barings recognized the transformative opportunity not only for the physical building site at 300 South Tryon, but also for the city of Charlotte, adjacent uptown community, and its employees. The Barings Global Headquarters building complex at 300 South Tryon also includes the Kimpton Hotel, Angeline’s Restaurant and a rooftop bar, Merchant & Trade.

The office occupies the top seven floors of 300 South Tryon. The floors are separated by function and designed to meet specific goals. Floors 20-23 serve the everyday needs of staff with open and private office space, conference and huddle areas, soft seating lounges, and small coffee bars. Floor 24 offers a dramatically different experience from the lower floors. With the goal of creating a strong brand experience and sense of connection, it opens to the floors above via a signature stairway. Floor 25 is the heart of the entire office. Reception is located on the level along with a full-service café and seating area meant to serve the entire office and thus foster interactions between employees across the organization. Meditation rooms, outdoor patio, conference and huddle rooms, and executive office space complete the floor. If floor 25 is dedicated to day-to-day connections, then floor 26 is all about the future and big thinking. Highlights of this floor include a rotating art gallery display, custom executive boardroom with full-service catering kitchen and prep spaces. Floor 26 also features the large “Sky Room” – an auditorium style space with state-of-the-art technology and expansive views of uptown Charlotte. Marked by white surfaces, glass paneling, wood features and pops of blue, the Barings’ world headquarters is sophisticated and timeless from top to bottom. The design serves as a standard for all future Barings locations including offices in Chicago, Boston, New York, London and Beijing.