6 Inspiring Chicago office spaces worth being jealous of

If you are forced to spend 40+ hours a week in one place it should at least look cool, right? We took it upon ourselves to track down six stunning office spaces around the city that go above and beyond when providing their employees with a visually stimulating environment. These companies have created offices that do more than just look coolthey provide their employees with unique amenities, motivating workplaces and casual places to collaborate. If you are looking for some design inspiration, a new job or are just a cubical-bound dreamer then this is the post for you.

Here are six inspiring Chicago office spaces:

Gensler: Global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm
Gensler chose this office space because it allowed them to keep their 200 Chicago employees on one floor, letting office culture grow organically. The space’s open floorplan is spiced up by historical accents such as the large carved white columns that glow, illuminated by discrete lights in the floor. A centrally located library was built to engage both employees and clients of the global architecture firm and encourage them to collaborate on new ideas.

MAKE: Design and illustration studio
MAKE’s team of designers recently renovated their offices, turning an empty loft into a relaxed, homey and practical space. The MAKE offices are full of well-curated bookshelves, inspirational artwork and whiteboards used to keep track of current projects. A photo-diary of the MAKE offices transformation can be found on their blog. 

TrunkClub: Men’s outfitters 
TrunkClub has made headlines for their ability to understand the male perception of shopping and their office design makes it clear that they really do know what they’re talking about. Described by some as a “man cave,” the loft space allows clients to kick back and bond with employees over a beer from one of the onsite kegs. Stylists get to know customers while they relax on leather couches that adorn the spacious changing rooms in an environment that feels more like a storefront than a tech startup.

COOP: Coworking space
A co-working space with its own “Chief of Happiness” who supplies beverages, snacks and hosts a happy hour every Friday? Sign us up! COOP is located downtown in an airy loft space that transforms into a rotating gallery showcasing local artists on the third Friday of every month. Every co-worker get access to the conference room and free reign to pet Eli, the COOP’s resident canine.

Flor: Innovative carpet creators
Flor’s office space is colorful, mismatched and modern. Unique features include old airplane doors that create privacy in a small conference room and entire walls full of mood board and catalog layouts. As providers of traditional carpeting in a flexible format, it’s no surprise that the office floor is decorated with mismatched tiles that create a giant patchwork, giving off a homey vibe.

37 Signals: Web-based collaboration apps for small business
The 37 Signals office space follows the rules of its “less is more” approach to business. With an entryway that serves as a library and an abundance of mood boards, the office is decorated in a dark color scheme that favors traditional black chalkboards over modern whiteboards. Employees can make private calls in a sound-insulated phone booth or participate in podcasts in their very own soundproof studio. Plus, their auditorium seats 37, a subtle homage to their name that we love.

Wilson: Manufacturer of sporting goods
A chandelier made of tennis balls and a pyramid of footballs decorates Wilson’s Chicago headquarters. This unique art lets employees interact with the products they use at work on a daily basis. Gensler is responsible for this office space that incorporates excess leather, felt and other scrap materials from the manufacturing of sports products to create textured walls. In addition to being equipped with a fully functional photography studio, the Wilson offices are full of innovations like turning their building pillars into communal work stations. Whimsical, sculptural and informative: the layout communicates the history of the Wilson brand to visitors and employees.