Thompson Hine hired NELSON to reimagine their Atlanta office, transforming their workplace into a modern, high-end environment that supports both daily operations and a strong client-facing presence. Spanning 26,110 square feet, the project focused on creating a welcoming and flexible front-of-house experience while refreshing the broader staff office. It was delivered on budget and on schedule through a phased renovation-in-place approach.
Through close collaboration, the team worked to understand the client’s priorities for how the space needed to function day to day and during hosted events. Central to this vision was a wine bar that could serve as a daily social hub for attorneys and administrative professionals while supporting regularly hosted wine tastings and community events. The front-of-house was also envisioned as a client meeting zone and pre-function space for the boardroom, requiring a secure layout and improved circulation within an existing footprint.
NELSON approached the project with a clear focus on maximizing value through thoughtful planning and disciplined material use. The design concept balances clean, modern lines with warmth introduced through wood, stone-inspired surfaces, and subtle metal accents. Premium finishes were used strategically, ensuring the space reads as elevated while remaining durable and timeless.
The front-of-house was intentionally planned to balance openness with control. Gracious entry moments, long views through glass-enclosed meeting and open gathering spaces, and clear circulation allow guests to move comfortably through the space without interrupting meetings or events. A light-filled reception zone, coffee bar and adjacent wine bar serve as a flexible gathering point that can remain visually open or become more private as needed.
Thompson Hine’s newly completed Atlanta office is refined rather than extravagant, flexible rather than fixed, and entirely tailored to the firm’s culture and way of working. This project demonstrates how intentional design, clear planning, and close collaboration can unlock lasting value well beyond first impressions.
