Novel Coworking Johnson Square Multi-Floor Renovation

Erected as the City’s first skyscraper in 1911, the Johnson Square Building is a 15-floor, 161,382 SF neoclassical building overlooking the City’s largest square that is still a landmark of the downtown skyline today. In 2019, Chicago-based Novel Coworking acquired the building with plans to renovate it into state-of-the-art workspace for one to 100-person companies.

Hussey Gay Bell was selected to spearhead the overall designs for the complete renovation of the 5th, 12th, 13th and 14th floors totaling 17,137 SF to accommodate for Novel’s business model. The new space was designed per Novel Coworking Design Standards and features fully-furnished regular private offices, daily offices, meeting space, conference rooms, direct fiber internet, WiFi, and 24/7 secured access with access to coworking space, virtual office capabilities, espresso and beer on tap bar, mother’s room, communal lounge areas, and up to 11,000 square-foot private suites. In addition, suites include kitchenettes and conference rooms, and all feature access to meeting rooms, amenity space and business services.

The building was occupied during construction and therefore a phased construction sequence was utilized by Hussey Gay Bell to minimize impacts on existing tenants.