KTGY Architecture + Planning Designs South Bend’s First Downtown Office Development in 20 Years

July 25, 2019

Five-story Barnes & Thornburg Building adds contemporary architecture to the heart of the business district.

CHICAGO. (July 25, 2019)KTGY Architecture + Planning, an international award-winning architecture firm, today revealed details behind the design of the Barnes & Thornburg Building, a mixed-use office development located in downtown South Bend, Ind., that will be anchored by law firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

Co-developed by Great Lakes Capital, Bald Mountain LLC and Norris Equity Partners, the five-story, KTGY-designed building at 201 S. Main St. marks downtown South Bend’s first Class-A office project in nearly 20 years. Now under construction, it is scheduled to deliver in Summer of 2021, bringing 35,531 square feet of office space and 6,537 square feet of street-level retail to the intersection of Main Street and Jefferson Boulevard.

“We were inspired to design a building that would fit into any of today’s great cities, celebrating the continued growth of South Bend as a vibrant downtown,” said Craig Pryde, principal at the Chicago office of KTGY. “Ground floor retail engages the streetscape, while expansive windows and rooftop terraces offer outdoor spaces and views. The contemporary design incorporates street-level manganese iron spot masonry, creating an appreciative contrast to the adjacent Federal Building’s traditional limestone and granite façade.”

Divided between the north and south ends of the building, the retail space – expected to house both an upscale restaurant and coffee shop – bookends the lobby. This strategic placement allows for a diversity of uses while activating both sides of the building. The office floors above, which are clad in glass and steel, offer highly efficient floor plates that maximize natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Terraces on the fourth and fifth levels serve as an extension of the interior office space, giving staff members the ability to hold lunches or meetings outdoors.

“Private outdoor space has become one of the most-requested features in new office designs, regardless of climate,” said Pryde. “The flexibility it offers, along with the health and productivity benefits, resonates with both current and prospective employees, making it a valuable retention and recruiting tool for employers.”

Barnes & Thornburg LLP will occupy floors two through four, continuing its longtime commitment to downtown South Bend.