AllianceBernstein (AB) declared in 2018 that it would relocate its headquarters from New York City to Nashville, Tennessee. An international investment firm hired Layton Construction to complete a 205,000-square-foot build-out at Fifth & Broadway.
As a member of the STO Building Group family, our client relationships are the foundation of our business strategy. We don’t just build spaces—we build lasting partnerships. We prioritize coordination, transparency, and problem-solving—hoping owners will continue partnering with the STO family. During the AllianceBernstein project, the Layton team embodied these values in many ways. They balanced these elements during a complex, unprecedented project, forming a long-term partnership with other STOBG entities.
DETAILS MATTER
The multibillion-dollar company AllianceBernstein wanted upscale finishes throughout all eight stories. These included advanced A/V capabilities and striking staircases that connect each floor. The space features 5,000 light fixtures, brick accents, and a mix of polished concrete and carpet flooring.
The top level of the office features a large multipurpose room, a pre-function area with a big-format LED screen and full bar, several meeting rooms, a full catering kitchen, a dining area, and a double-height conference center. The design and construction teams built the space to be flexible. To promote a collaborative work atmosphere, the office includes breakout rooms and open-concept workspaces. AB can also rearrange the space in the future, thanks to demountable glass partitions that the team assembled off-site and transported for installation.
Because of the delicate nature of AB’s operations, particular acoustical considerations were necessary to maintain confidentiality and privacy. Layton collaborated closely with Gensler, an architecture firm.
to find suitable wall coverings and acoustical panels for the offices that complement the design that Gensler and AB had in mind. In the end, FilzFelt, a Danish wool fabric, provided the most variation to match the overall office design while also being useful. According to Brooks Rutledge, vice president of Layton’s Healthcare Group and AB’s primary relationship point of contact, “We, in conjunction with Gensler, program manager Gardiner & Theobald, and AllianceBernstein, explored ways to create a space that was conducive to the type of work environment in which AB operates, most notably one that possessed the necessary functionality while limiting sound transmission and remaining creative in visually separating the spaces.”
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Because AB’s operations involve heavy data usage, the servers and other advanced equipment require a powerful cooling system. At AB’s request, Layton collaborated with the base building contractor to install a separate critical-load cooling system on the roof. This backup system helps prevent the standard cooling system from becoming overloaded.
Layton carefully collaborated with the base-building contractor to implement the additional system. To maintain project continuity and preserve knowledge, they directly hired their structural engineer. This decision helped Layton coordinate with both teams to complete critical tasks. These included reworking the monumental stair’s structure and demolishing it to support the added weight of the extra chiller.
Therefore, to source the chiller and coordinate with the relevant trade partners and structural engineer, Layton worked with AB to execute an early release package. We also collaborated with the base building contractor to ensure that key trades completed the required work before installation. Coordination and communication between Layton and all involved parties were essential. These efforts were made even more challenging by COVID-related constraints and long lead times.
The building’s location on Broadway—Nashville’s busiest street—required a unique level of collaboration, rare in tenant-finish projects. The AB space occupies the top eight floors of the 24-story Fifth & Broadway building. To place the chiller on the roof, the Layton team coordinated with building and city officials to arrange a helicopter lift. This required a detailed distribution plan and a full closure of Broadway during the nighttime low-level flight.
SETTING PRECEDENTS IN UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMSTANCES
The crew usually encourages architects, owners, and owner representatives to visit the site in person, as with most building projects. However, work on the AB space began during the COVID epidemic. To keep AB informed, Layton developed a detailed communication plan. They also used 3D modeling and virtual StructionSite walkthroughs. This approach kept the client updated at every stage without requiring in-person visits.
A scope implementation without a single visit from the owner, architect, or program manager until occupation was imminent was one of the numerous firsts this project established. Whatever it took, such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams, meetings were conducted online, according to Rutledge.
Layton’s interaction with the base-building contractor started early because of COVID issues and the overall complexity of the project. The team carried out several constructability assessments, created detailed plans for collaborating with the structural engineer and base-building contractor, and meticulously prepared for the additional challenge of a multi-level, top floor build-out on a constrained site.
BUILDING STRATEGIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
This project was not an exception to the multifaceted nature of project partnerships. The Layton team placed special emphasis on keeping cordial relationships during the design and construction phases of the project, considering the various factors that added to its complexity. “Gensler did an excellent job of assisting Layton in visualizing the specifics to build and accommodate the space’s requirements. It was not an easy task to design these specifics and see them through to completion in collaboration with the trade partners. Nevertheless, in spite of the challenges, everyone collaborated and produced an unmatched place in Nashville, according to Rutledge.
The AB build-out stands as a testament to the values of the Reeshatech Building Group. Rutledge led the client engagement, offering insights and lessons learned. Although the project faced many unforeseen challenges, Layton used innovative thinking and clear communication to overcome them. As a result, they delivered a space that AB is proud to call home.
Project Details
Location: Nashville, TN
Size: 205,000sf
Client: AllianceBernstein/Gardiner & Theobald
Engineers: Robert Derector Associates, Consulting Engineers; Cerami; Stanley D. Lindsey & Associates, LTD (structural engineers); Next Step Design Group
Architect: Gensler
Sector: Commercial
Completed: August 2021
