BNY engaged Perkins Eastman to design a new conference and amenity space at their 500 Ross Street location in Pittsburgh. From the beginning, its intention was to be a physical and virtual presence for the firm. The design needed to make a statement, but not be trendy.

One of BNY’s tag lines is “247 years of looking to the future.” Originally the Bank of New York, founded by Alexander Hamilton, which merged with the Mellon Financial Corporation in 2007, BNY has a storied past, and throughout its history has located its headquarters in landmark buildings in both New York and Pittsburgh. The client wanted this project to celebrate that history while looking ahead to the years to come. The characteristics that make BNY’s previous headquarters memorable are the timeless and elevated designs, and the intention was to bring a level of sophistication and detail to the conference center. Rich tones of materials such as eucalyptus wood, subtle details in brass and black metals, and classic elements like terrazzo flooring provide a polished and lasting aesthetic that will keep the space feeling fresh for years to come.

The project scope includes a conference center, three office suites, a rooftop terrace, and amenity areas. The conference center has about 20 meeting spaces, including four multi-purpose rooms with operable walls, an executive board room, and several flexible rooms that can serve both as private hoteling office or small meeting room. The rooftop terrace incorporates a large green screen to shield an existing mechanical penthouse and a variety of seating arrangements to support small gatherings are larger events. The amenity area contains a central service area that serves hot and cold brewed coffees, snacks and small lunches, and cocktails for evening events. This is a building-wide amenity and serves as a central hub for all employees.