B.R. Fries builds 52,000 s/f HQ.

Working on an aggressive, fast-track schedule of 12 weeks, B.R. Fries & Associates, Constructors completed the 52,000 s/f new Manhattan headquarters of Nature Publishing Group. The space, on the 9th floor of One Hudson Square, was designed by Furnstahl & Simon, Architects.

"B.R. Fries handled all construction aspects of the project and enabled us to meet a tight deadline, keep on budget and successfully move 200 staff without skipping a beat in terms of our publishing business. Their patience and attention to detail in helping us attend to all the changes and fixes that our staff requested helped bring the project to a close on an entirely positive note," said Nick Kemp, senior vice president, operations, Nature Publishing Group.

According to Randi Simon, AIA, of Furnstahl & Simon, the greatest challenge of the space was to move employees from isolated space and private offices on two different floors into a single, wide-open floor plan with few offices. "The client decided that to make the space work, they would change the way they work. It's a testament to the managerial skills at Nature Publishing that they were able to successfully sell the benefits of working in open space to their staff."

Furnstahl & Simon reused systems, such as a air conditioning and wiring, from the previous occupants, Star Media, a dot-com company, which was cost efficient for the client's tight budget.

"We spent money in ways that would work for the client," said Simon. "A bold, fresh color palette for walls, finishes and fabrics was key to making the design of the vast space work.