The Chicago Bears have moved their sales and service offices from Soldier Field to downtown Chicago.
The new space is designed by HOK, which is also leading the renovation and expansion of the team’s Halas Hall expansion project in Lake Forest, Illinois. This downtown office creates a welcoming, modern workplace for Bears staff and employs a creative interpretation of its brand through graphics, murals and furniture.
The Bears have significantly upgraded their office space with the relocation to 123 N. Wacker Drive. The 35 employees now occupy an 11,000-square-foot leased office space, about three times larger than what they had back at the stadium.
HOK was the architect for the downtown office, along with the previously announced Halas Hall expansion project for the team’s main office in Lake Forest, Illinois. J.C. Anderson served as the team’s general contractor while Corporate Concepts helped to furnish the space. JLL served as the organization’s property broker.
“The Bears’ new downtown offices will be a showcase space for the organization,” said HOK interior designer, Mary Campbell. “Throughout the design process, the team was committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment for their staff and a destination for guests and partners in the heart of Chicago. These offices celebrate the Bears brand—their legacy, history and trajectory—through design.”
The new Loop location includes eight private offices pushed to the interior, allowing natural light—something woefully missing in their previous location—to penetrate all workstations in the open-concept floor plan. Elsewhere, a 418-square-foot conference space, named the “Papa Bear Conference Room” after the organization’s founder, George Halas, overlooks the Chicago River.
The decision to move downtown was an easy one, as it brought the organization closer to its stakeholders and partners. It also positions the sales and service departments for growth, as a Loop location is ideal for attracting young talent.