Repurposing a dark, oppressive and disjointed 1980’s sawtooth strip mall, the Hoke Ley created a bustling, unified and light-filled headquarters for a real estate firm. The expansive roof overhangs were removed, and new storefronts added to allow access to natural light throughout the space. A new glass vestibule, limited to 500 square feet due to zoning regulations, engages the street and serve as an entry beacon. A rhythm of dark and light corrugated steel siding, partially masked by an illuminated, textural corten steel screen, playfully accentuates the building’s geometry.
At the interior, seven tenant suites were unified as a singular space for the new headquarters. A portion of the second floor was removed, replaced with a two-story café atrium that serves as a gathering point for agents and clients. Finally, a wood and steel staircase was introduced to provide a dramatic circulation element that links the two previously disconnected levels.
