The Bank of Montreal is relocating to a new space in Toronto as it takes over four floors in the Eaton Center, which is the largest shopping mall in Ontario. What was once the department store Sears is now the space for the bank with the help of the team at IA Interior Architects.
The cohesive space for the bank's 3,000 employees pushes the boundaries of traditional offices as it repurposes the unique feature of being able to see the different departments on the backs of a retail store layout. The atrium is 100 feet which is great for encouraging interaction and collaboration amongst peers. The escalators are painted with a bright palette forming a kaleidoscope visual to continue with a unifying theme throughout the design language.
Image Credit: IA Interior Architects, A-Frame, Jimmy Limit, Panya Clack Espinal
What's Driving This Trend
- Mall-based Bank Office Spaces
- The Bank of Montreal's new office in a Toronto mall challenges traditional office design by repurposing a retail store layout.
- Collaborative Workspaces
- The new Bank of Montreal office fosters interaction and collaboration among employees with its 100-foot atrium and unique department visibility.
- Innovative Office Design
- The Eaton Center office design by IA Interior Architects showcases a cohesive and visually stunning space that pushes the boundaries of traditional office layouts.
Who This Affects Most
- Banking
- The Bank of Montreal's relocation to a mall and unique office design provides an opportunity for other banks to reimagine their office spaces.
- Retail
- The repurposing of a former department store for office space in a mall could create new opportunities for retail spaces to merge with corporate environments.
- Interior Design
- The IA Interior Architects' collaboration with the Bank of Montreal on this project highlights the potential for innovation in office design and the need for creative design professionals in the industry.
