Havas Worldwide has officially opened its newly 81,000-sq. ft. office-less Havas Chicago Village, renovated at a cost of $18 million that incorporates all of its many services — media, creative, digital and others — on two floors at 36 E. Grand, a building the agency has occupied for 15 years.
Havas Chicago Village is an evolution of its agency model providing an “agile creative” approach with clients, moving from 80% offices formerly on three floors to an open floor plan on two floors with abundant teaming spaces, art and amenities for employees.
“The space was specifically designed for collaboration,” says Lori Hiltz, CEO, Havas Media North America, “so we can offer clients a streamlined operating model and a data-driven, ‘programmatic’ approach to creating content quickly and cost-effectively.”
The open space unites Havas’ 400-plus employees and all of its offerings under one roof: Havas Worldwide Chicago and Havas Media Group; specialty shops Havas helia for data, analytics and CRM; Havas Latino; Studio 6, the in-house content creation studio; Havas Impact the promotional services group, and Havas ignition, a brand engagement and experiential agency.
Havas has rolled out its “hive” model in 25 other locations across the globe, but Chicago was a standout within the holding company having experienced a massive 25% growth in the last year, based off the integrated model’s efficiencies.
Designed by Gary Lee Partners, Havas Chicago Village features 17-ft. exposed ceilings, a winding staircase connecting the agency’s two floors, a “town hall” area for company gatherings with expandable bleachers, a broadcast studio, in-office bike racks, and custom art installations created by popular local artists, including Matthew Hoffman and JC Rivera.
What it doesn’t have are executive offices.
“The concept is a competitive advantage for the agency,” says Yannick Bolloré, chairman/CEO Havas Group, “by allowing us to collaborate across agencies and capabilities to provide the highest level of expertise and the most creative integrated offering possible.”
Havas clients include Chicago-based Craftsman, Kenmore, Diehard, Sears, Reynolds Wrap and Hefty Bags, national brands Citi, DISH, AutoZone, Cracker Barrel and Sony PlayStation.
