This is part two of a three part piece detailing innovative workspaces in Central Massachusetts. To read the story from the beginning click here.
At Sheehan’s Office Interiors, a Rhode Island-based office design firm with an office in Worcester, the staff uses scientific studies to create work spaces for clients fostering collaboration, learning, innovation and focus, said Michael Monahan, vice president of strategic accounts at Sheehan’s.
Ten years ago, offices with views or natural light were reserved for executives, whose offices usually lined the walls of a business, leaving room for dark and clustered cubicles in the middle, Monahan said. Now, the trend is a much more open floor plan, where everyone can get a glimpse of sunlight.
“The trend is to build out the offices in the core of the building and use glass walls instead of sheetrock, allowing natural light to flood into the open plan for all,” he said.
Modern spaces with historical integrity
Worcester developer Robert Branca said office spaces now generally need to be open, and large conference rooms with glass walls are in high demand.
Branca’s team renovated the Harrington Corner building at Main and Front streets in downtown Worcester, and was the driving force behind the renaissance of 72 and 60 Shrewsbury St., home of the Volturno restaurant, Wormtown Brewery, Worcester Magazine and 7 Nana Japanese Steakhouse.
Branca’s team is working on finishing the second and third floors of office space at 60 Shrewsbury St., above 7 Nana. Part of the second floor will become more office space for the growing Wormtown, but the rest was still available as of press time – though Branca said there has been interest.
In Worcester, potential tenants like it when an effort is made to preserve the historical integrity of a building, but with a modern twist, Branca said.
“People like historic buildings, provided that you have all the modern amenities in them, like data wiring, energy efficiency, motion sensitive lighting, good finish work, and that you preserve as much of the historic or industrial character as you can,” he said.
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