The renovation of 2460 Pershing builds upon the foundation created by BNIM’s history. Since the firm was founded in Kansas City more than 45 years ago, BNIM has impacted catalytic change through the intentional location of its offices — reviving historic buildings, creating dynamic connections in the urban core, and contributing to the vibrancy of a revitalized city. BNIM’s offices at 2460 Pershing is another addition to this legacy and evidence of our commitment to building positive in our communities.

Read the full article by Charles Linn, FAIA in the Good Design is Good Business section of Architectural Record below or download it here.

“Having a strong eye-level connection to nature made the difference in this tenant space,” says design team member Rohn Grotenhuis. “We preserved and enhanced this condition with the openness of our layout, dark color tones, and lower lighting levels. It’s a little like a secret garden. A visitor doesn’t expect that indoor-outdoor connection in this Brutalist building.”

The new environment has yielded almost immediate gains in productivity and revenue for BNIM, which they attribute to better communication and a healthier, more pleasing environment. According to the firm, net revenue per employee increased by 7 percent the first year after their move in January 2017. Net revenue per technical staff member improved by 9 percent. The efficiency of BNIM’s work hours improved too, as reflected in a 14 percent increase in net revenue per direct labor hour. Applications from new architecture graduates more than doubled, from 51 in 2016 to 105 in 2017.

Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation still honors the tradition. Having BNIM as a tenant is good for marketing, and they love showing off what the firm did with its space. So BNIM negotiated a special deal with them: for every new tenant it helps bring in, they get a rebate on their own rent. Now the firm regularly hosts “broker parties,” where leasing agents show potential renters what’s possible once the old lay-in ceilings, workstations, and dirty carpet are stripped away. So far, the firm has helped sign one tenant, who took 30,000 square feet, and they believe that more are in the works.

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