Playing in the Archives: Epstein Headquarters - 2011 Pershing Road

Last week, we covered Epstein's first headquarters within the Central Manufacturing District’s (CMD) iconic Clock Tower Building; today, in our continued celebration of our impending 100^th anniversary, we turn our attention to our long-time second home, a building right next door to the Clock Tower at 2011 Pershing Road.

As our firm grew in the early 40s and the Clock Tower space became far too cramped, Abraham Epstein began work on the design of a new headquarters for Epstein, one that properly reflected our ambitions for continued growth and service to our ever-widening client base. This new building was constructed in 1946, still within the CMD’s footprint, and originally built to house 35 employees.

Above photo: Epstein HQ building in 1946.

Over the next four decades, this building would go through multiple expansions, eventually reaching 35,000 square feet and able to house more than 200 staff members.

In 1960, a significant expansion was made, featuring a glass enclosed entrance gallery showcasing our latest work that also looked out onto an outdoor garden atrium. In addition, new space featuring extensive natural light was created for our architectural and engineering departments. An interesting side note with regard to this expansion is that all conference rooms and private offices were specified with different examples of modernist furniture, lighting, carpeting and wall treatments. This was done purposely to demonstrate to our clients what could be done in their spaces as well.

Epstein was located at 2011 Pershing Road until 1983, when we moved to our current headquarters at 600 West Fulton. Now, the 2011 Pershing Road building is home to our friends at the National Latino Education Institute (NLEI). In a wonderful gesture of kindness and recognition to the Epstein family for granting the building to the NLEI, this facility is named the "A. Epstein Center" in honor of Abraham Epstein.

The above collage depicts Epstein's former headquarters as it is today, along with a glimpse of the CMD Clock Tower Building.