Reyes Beer Division

Chicago, Illinois

A major beer distributor bought a two-story Art Van Furniture store in Chicago’s Elston retail corridor for an unlikely reason: to convert it into a high-end, branded headquarters. The project’s goals were twofold: unite many of their office locations under one roof and provide a space where they could feature the brands that they represent and distribute.

OKW evaluated the exterior and interior of the space to convert the large floor plates so the space could be intuitively used as an office. The program includes offices, conference rooms, a full working bar, a speakeasy, a training center for all staff, and display areas designed to showcase their many brands. Just as important was the requirement that the space exist as an exciting environment and cultural hub for their employees’ social engagement.

The space excels in the details: kegs repurposed as side tables or as feature walls in the boardroom; light fixtures that echo copper piping in microbreweries; and even ceiling features made from beer crates. It’s a prime example of a design that spans the big picture and the smallest detail.

Photography by Steve Hall