A national law firm developing a new Chicago office at 300 N. LaSalle needed a local architect of record to help deliver a complex, two-floor build alongside a national design firm and a full roster of specialized consultants. The goal was elevated client service, a space that would perform at the level the firm’s clients expect.

The coordination demands on this project were substantial. EWP partnered with an out-of-state design firm, functioning as the local architect of record as well as the technical and execution partner; finding solutions, resolving field conditions, and keeping the work moving together toward a shared design vision. Lighting, acoustics, MEP, IT, and structural all required tight alignment across multiple consultants, and EWP served as the connective tissue that held it together on the ground. Long lead times on imported materials; off ice fronts from Italy, overseas tile, and the custom grand staircase steel all required early decisions and continuous coordination to protect the construction sequence.

Arrival sets the tone immediately. The double-height reception opens directly off the elevator corridor, surrounded by hard surfaces that should feel loud but don’t; a deliberate acoustic design strategy that manages sound without softening the drama of the space.

Behind reception, a monumental, curved stair defines the project’s signature moment: bronze-wrapped stringers, glass handrails, and a wood veneer underside, with a planted base that anchors the composition. Bronze as a finish theme runs throughout, a considered departure from the black metal palette that had dominated the market.

Office fronts imported from Italy bring a precision and material quality that registers immediately. Four distinct office typologies accommodate different levels of attorney seniority without fragmenting the floor’s visual coherence. The 25th floor conference and event center, anchored by a large multipurpose room and a dedicated catering kitchen gives the Chicago office a hospitality capability that supports both client development and firm culture.

The cafe, the hospitality bar, and the boardroom with wraparound city views complete a workplace that was designed as much for Crowell’s clients as for its attorneys.