Award of Excellence
Best Interiors - Over 75,000 SF

Project Team

The Carlyle Group - (Owner)
HYL Architecture - (Architect)
Davis Construction - (General Contractor)
JLL - (Broker + Project Management)
GHT - (Engineer)
Tadjer Cohen Edelson - (Stair)
Evenson Best - (Furniture)
Garrett Rowland - (Photographer)

Project Description

This 200,000 square foot top ranked investment firm prides itself on being recognized globally as one of the best places to work with deep industry knowledge and a diverse inclusive team. The Carlyle Group orchestrated a multi-phased expansion and renovation co-locating multiple business units into their existing headquarters location on Pennsylvania Avenue. Following an analysis of multiple scenarios, the decision was made to expand the footprint at Carlyle’s existing headquarters office, allowing Investor Services functions to be co-located with the teams they support.

This expansion allowed for a re-imagining of the Headquarters space, where firm Founders have been located for over 30 years. Carlyle has evolved from a Washington-centric organization to one with a global reach and dispersed leadership; the new space allows for enhanced communications and an efficient, transparent and collaborative workspace, as well as offering a polished image and tools for exceptional client service. Public spaces embrace Pennsylvania Avenue views and anchor a communicating stair that connects all floors. A new, central Town Center serves as a community space to encourage disparate populations to mingle and share information. Employees are encouraged to use the new public spaces, which include a centralized hub featuring a full-service coffee bar with barista, along with various pantries on each floor.

The multi-phased project occurred in an 1980’s era building, with large floorplates, low available ceiling heights, and an irregular column grid. As employees needed to remain in the building throughout construction, there was no opportunity for an exhaustive survey of existing conditions, making construction coordination a challenge. When conflicts arose, the Architect worked with the General Contractor as well as the MEP and Structural teams to provide clear and detailed information for decision-making and cost control while maintaining the overall project schedule.

The Architect is concurrently working with Carlyle to refine a menu of standards applicable to all global locations and to streamline their brand expression through visual, technological, and workplace norms. Currently in process is a combination of staff from two New York offices into five floors of the One Vanderbilt Tower in midtown Manhattan, along with designing Carlyle offices in Mumbai and Amsterdam.