-By Amy Milshtein, Photography by Scott Shigley

J. Paul Beitler, president of Beitler Real Estate Corporation, would never build a plain vanilla office. When his company creates a regional mall, a skyscraper, or a train station, he strives to produce a stand-out structure. His own corporate offices have always expressed that ethic with eye-grabbing architecture and design. The latest, by Powell/Kleinschmidt in Chicago's iconic John Hancock Tower, lives up to past offices while pointing the company squarely into the future.

And those past spaces were quite glorious. The last two won major awards while expressing Beitler Corporation (as it was called at that time). When the company was located in 18 different states and had many institutional clients, the office featured ebony wood, bird's eye maple, silk wall fabrics, and terrazzo floors. "It was very Ayn Rand-ian," recalls Beitler. "The next space was more fanciful and playful. People really enjoyed it."

This space represents a totally new turn architecturally for the firm. Its location in the John Hancock Tower inspired the client and designer to pay homage to one of Chicago's great architecture masters, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. His presence looms large in the space from the onset both figuratively and literally.

The most evident nod Mies to van der Rohe becomes obvious upon stepping into the lobby. There, behind the reception desk, stands a larger-than-life translucent photo mural of the master in an iconic, stogy, smoking pose. A sculptural model of downtown Chicago graces the reception area, as well, alluding to the power of architecture.

A second photomural appears in the reception area, and a third is in Paul Beitler's office. These two pieces of art are of a pair of the Mies van der Rohe work in Chicago: the Federal Center and the interior of Crown Hall. These oversized renditions along with the sweeping views of the real skyline outside the windows offer constant inspiration and a reminder to employees and guests of what buildings mean in this city.

Yet this 7,500-plus-sq.-ft. office is more than photomurals. A bold palette of black, white, grey, and red dominate the space. "Red was Mies's favorite color," says Beitler. Yes, the effect is stark and bold, but Beitler insists that it takes you out of your comfort zone and into a place where creative thinking just flows.

Only 13 employees are housed in the space and many are traveling at any given time. However, the office by no means feels empty. The red epoxy floors create the perfect echo effect making the office sound busy without seeming overwhelming. "We have five senses, but we really rely on our eyes. I wanted a space that played into our other senses, as well," says Beitler. "With these floors and the sound they produce, motion creates emotion."

Very little superfluous decoration is found in the space. A conference room features a contemporary wall sculpture, while a 1952 Schwinn Phantom bicycle sits in Mr. Beitler's office. "It's like jewelry on a beautiful woman," says Beitler. "The bicycle enhances the space and makes a great conversation starter."

Creating this bold space was a memorable experience for the designers. "People usually have a fear of strong color, so it was wonderful to be able to design a space like this," says William Arnold, design director at Powell/Kleinschmidt. "It's not often we get to pay homage to a great architect in a corporate fit out."

What was also amazing was the time line for completion. "Almost everything was done in three months," Arnold notes. The budget is also a wonder—$55 a sq. ft. "Good design doesn't have to cost a ton of money," insists Beitler. "In fact the hardest part of any design project is trying to decide what you want to create, not the budget."

Arnold would agree with that statement. "We cycled through a lot of different ideas before coming to rest on this one," he says. "Several strong concepts had to be cut, but in the end I feel this is a great, iconic Chicago interior." And it's one that would makes Mies van der Rohe proud.

For a list of who, what, where, please see page 170.