Investment Management Company of Ontario
BRINGING THREE OFFICES UNDER ONE ROOF
In 2017 when IMCO, one of Canada’s largest investment firms commissioned their new corporate office, it was with a clear mandate to help them shift the perception of their brand from wealth management to supporting the collective intelligence and determination of the businesses and people they serve. As part of a collaborative partnership with Cresa Toronto, Flat Iron Building Group, and Smith & Andersen Engineering, SDI Design for the new office at 16 York was tasked to improve collaboration, accessibility and cross-functional space by bringing together everyone from three disparate offices. Before their move to 16 York St., IMCO had offices in three locations. Overgrowing its existing office space, the wealth manager needed to encourage cross-functional collaboration and innovation to support its growing mandate. It was determined through surveys and other research that bringing employees under one roof would optimize collaboration, drive efficiency, and spur innovation. The proximity to Union Station would result in improved transit options and shortened commute times, and the convenient downtown location would help attract and retain the next generation of talent.
What We Achieved Together
Built To A Vision
Our team worked closely with the project designers, SDI, enabling us to find efficiencies with costs without compromising on the final experience. One example of this was the lighting package, a unique honeycomb arrangement throughout main office spaces. By taking an active interest in the design team’s vision, we presented alternative, more affordable approaches that had not been previously considered.
Started the Plan Early
Having all project disciplines together at the outset enabled us to plan collectively—with designers, brokers, and the client—to eliminate problems that would have otherwise gone unnoticed until it was too late. As a new build, our pre-construction team was heavily involved early in the project, and was able to identify inconsistencies in the floor grid of the building, which would have thrown our design plans off schedule had it not been spotted early.
Built Trust Across Teams
Building trust and respect amongst all partners on the team is critical to creating the type of community that challenges the chaos in our industry. Being able to work with partners in SDI, Cresa, and IMCO, who share these values, is a big part of what makes a project like this a success.
