Macquarie Group Americas Headquarters

New York, NY
250,000 SF

Collaborating with the Australian global financial services group, A+I developed the strategic vision and design of Macquarie Group’s new Americas Headquarters, establishing a powerful connection to Macquarie’s global presence while affirming their commitment to the Americas at a premier location in Midtown Manhattan.

To support a modern, hybrid workforce within the constraints of an existing building footprint, A+I transformed Macquarie’s Americas headquarters into a flexible, digitally connected workplace. Rooted in Macquarie’s entrepreneurial spirit and flat organizational structure, the design encourages spontaneous interaction, agile workflows, and cross-disciplinary connection. It responds to both the spatial limitations of the building, such as low ceilings and a fixed footprint, and the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing work environment. By balancing flexibility with function, the design maximizes the potential of the space while staying true to Macquarie’s values and forward-looking vision.

At the heart of the headquarters is The Avenue, a seven-story cascading staircase that anchors the workplace both spatially and culturally. Far more than circulation, its interlocking design both energizes and is energized by the tailored programming it connects: cafés, libraries, outdoor terraces, and wellness spaces—all vertically integrated path to support movement, encourage spontaneous encounters, and foster cross-disciplinary exchange. Positioned to maximize natural light and sweeping skyline views, The Avenue transforms movement into opportunity, embedding Macquarie’s agile workflows directly into the architecture.

Inspired by New York City, the design integrates warm brass finishes reminiscent of the city’s architectural heritage and golden-hour glow, while the spatial organization reflects the rhythm of the city’s grid and park systems. These design elements are reinforced through wayfinding and environmental graphics, grounding the workplace in its local context.

Wellness and inclusivity were central to the design, ensuring the headquarters meets the wide-ranging needs of employees while supporting productivity and focus. Outdoor terraces provide ample fresh air and natural light, while indoor “terraces” along The Avenue extend lush park-like environments all throughout the workspace. A pantry space and cafeteria open onto The Avenue and its terrace, creating informal settings that spark spontaneous connection across teams and disciplines. A+I’s branding and graphics strategy reinforces this sense of movement and choice, subtly encouraging stair use and making wellness part of the daily experience.

Dedicated spaces for caregivers, yoga, meditation, and music, alongside showers, lockers, and a variety of acoustic, lighting, and privacy settings ensure all employees feel supported. Whether for deep focus or creative collaboration, the headquarters offers freedom in how and where people work.

Macquarie’s new headquarters doesn’t just reflect its values—it operationalizes them, creating a workplace that’s responsive, responsible, and built for what’s next.

The project has received LEED Platinum.

Project Team Eliane Maillot, Chris Shelley, Jennifer Wichtowski, Jess Wang, Andrew McBride, Cheryl Baxter, Victor Galloway, Brenton Smith, Vané Broussard, Rina Sebastian, Nico Martin, Ming Bai

Photography Eric Laignel

Awards SARA NY 2025 Design Awards Honoree (Commercial: Office), Interior Design NYCxDesign Winner 2025 (Large Corporate Office), IFMA Design & Construction of a New Facility Award 2025

Certification LEED Platinum