Glanstonbury, CT and Atlanta, GA – The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Inc., (SLAM), recently announced it will be moving its Atlanta office into a new 7,000sf space at Ponce City Market. SLAM’s 20-person Atlanta office, which will be open for business on Monday, Nov. 24, is on the building’s fourth floor overlooking the new mixed-use development’s sustainable, green roof-top courtyard.
The Southeast regional office of SLAM’s nationally known practice has thrived in the city since opening 16 years ago and is looking forward to its continued growth. “This is a new era for us because the office has grown from one person to being a critical part of the SLAM organization,” Mary Jo Olenick, AIA, principal and corporate director of strategic planning for the nearly 40-year-old national firm, said. “We are proud to be able to take this next step and excited about what it will allow us to do.” According to Sidney Ward, SLAM principal and director of the Atlanta office, this is a strategic move for the firm. “It is one of the most exciting office buildings in the city in generations and will significantly raise the visibility of the firm.”
Ward calls it a game changer: “At minimum, this move will allow the firm to grow the office and add 10 to 15 employees over the next few years. From a recruiting standpoint, we will be in the heart of in-town, inside the BeltLine, and positioned near two universities, all of which make Ponce City Market an exciting, desirable, and energetic destination.” The BeltLine is the 22-mile loop that surrounds in-town Atlanta and is a significant catalyst for the area’s revitalization and the expected success of Ponce City Market. It offers a host of amenities including jogging paths, bike paths, access to parks and important cultural destinations, as well as a future light rail.
According to Ward, the design of SLAM’s new offices, completed by the Atlanta office’s interior design studio, will be stunning, and “people will be blown away by it.” This move allows the firm to showcase sophisticated, strategic, contemporary office design. “It is intended to exhibit the latest and greatest in workplace design. It will be a great marketing tool.”
The office design incorporates the character of the historic building, but also reflects SLAM’s approach to contemporary design. “The building has wonderful architectural character – brick walls, steel windows, mushroom columns. We are exposing the building’s original architecture as much as possible,” Karen L. League, ASID, LEED AP, the Atlanta office’s interior design practice leader, explained.
Furnishings are modern and contemporary. The color palette includes warm taupe and terracotta derived from the raw materials of the building. Other iconic elements incorporated include a large fire door that is original to the building. According to League, historically, the building was sectioned by 15-inch deep brick walls and connected by these huge sliding fire doors. “We’ve retained the historic flavor, including the door’s rusty patina,” League said. The design also includes a brick wall that was “punched through” rather than clean cut. It’s a distinctive element SLAM hopes will provoke conversation.
SLAM is the second office tenant to take occupancy of the historic landmark building redeveloped by Jamestown. The building was originally constructed for Sears, Roebuck & Co., in the mid-1920s in the city’s Old Fourth Ward. It was the distribution center for the entire Southeast region, and also served as a retail center. It is currently is the region’s largest historic adaptive reuse retail, office, and residential development. SLAM’s new address is 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Suite 4100, Atlanta, GA, 30308; telephone numbers will not change.
