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Spaces We Love: Dropbox’s San Francisco Headquarters

Dropbox’s novel office space puts an emphasis on comfort and creativity (image via OfficeSnapshots).

In the beginning, it seemed like 87,000 square feet of commercial real estate at 185 Berry Street in San Francisco would be plenty of space to accommodate cloud storage and file sharing giant Dropbox and its 200+ employees. But then the company kept growing. And growing. Today, with more than 500 employees, Dropbox now occupies 200,000 square feet on Berry Street, plus additional space at 333 Brannan, a 10-minute walk from the main office.

Here are some of the reasons Dropbox makes the list of spaces we love, and how you can get the look in San Diego.

One conference room is devoted entirely to LEGOs.
(Image via Refinery 29).

The interior conveys an atmosphere of fun and playfulness. With quotes reminiscent of comic book dialogue stenciled on the wall and bright chairs providing pops of color, there is a childlike whimsy to the space.

Rustic materials and industrial details add a raw edge to the space (image via OfficeSnapshots).
(Image via OfficeSnapshots).

Even the industrial characteristics of the space (exposed ceilings and ducting), evoke a feeling that spills and mistakes are welcome here, as the space seems damage-proof.

Plants seem to crop up everywhere, lending a sense of calm and serenity to the frenetic startup environment (image via Retail Design Blog).
(Image via Retail Design Blog).

Dropbox also does a great job of bringing nature indoors, keeping the window line clear to allow abundant natural light to reach inner offices. Verdant plants in every room inject a bold splash of color and livelihood to the modern, industrial space. In addition to the colors and textures plants bring to the office landscape, they also increase employee productivity.

Sunlight floods the space from huge, unobstructed windows.
(Image via OfficeSnapshots.com).

Known as a progressive concept space plan, this design, which houses offices in the interior while keeping window lines around the perimeter free and clear, is highly coveted in the commercial office space market today.

Glass walled conference rooms provide quiet space for teams to focus, away from the hubbub of the open workspace.
(Image via OfficeSnapshots.com).

Dropbox has done an amazing job of incorporating enclosed offices in an otherwise open space with exceptionally high ceilings. The modern look featuring glass walls is very popular right now with tech and creative companies, and it only makes sense that each office be equipped with its own computer welcoming you to the room.

Cleverly named breakout rooms are equipped with flat-panel welcome screens and oversized whiteboards.
(Image via Refinery29).

The use of whiteboards is not new, but one of the trends we’re seeing more and more is the use of white board paint to allow entire walls to be used for creative brainstorming.

The rustic, light-filled cafeteria is a favorite spot for team members to recharge and refuel.
(Image via Refinery29).

I want to eat lunch at Tuck Shop, Dropbox’s dining hall. It reminds me of a trendy New York café, with a lofty vibe created by dark wood finishes, chalkboards, unique lighting systems, and a modern, edgy ceiling grid.

A casual seating area invites team members to relax in one of the plush, tufted couches, or pull up a bench for an impromptu lunch meeting.
(Image via Refinery29).

The common areas, which blend seamlessly into the dining hall, almost have the earmarks of a college campus food court setting. With comfy looking couches and funky casual prints adjacent to the eating area, it’s as easy to envision students catching up between classes as it is to see Dropbox team members collaborating and brainstorming. The laid-back scene fosters an environment of camaraderie and creativity that has helped fuel Dropbox’s success.

How To Get The Look In San Diego

‘Ready Now’ office suites in downtown San Diego combine progressive concept floor plans with stunning bay views.
‘Ready Now’ office suites in downtown San Diego combine progressive concept floor plans with stunning bay views (image via The Irvine Company).

Good news! This look is easy to attain in San Diego, particularly in Class A high rises. The progressive concept of blending open space with enclosed offices is incredibly popular right now in “Ready Now” spec suites.

In fact, landlords are putting in the work themselves to build out suites with interior offices and open workspaces along the windows. The Irvine Company in particular is embracing this concept, as they build out spec suite after spec suite incorporating these more creative space plans.

For more information on finding the perfect space for your company, contact me directly at (619) 238-2111, or star@hughesmarino.com.

Star Hughes-Gorup is executive vice president and director at Hughes Marino, a global corporate real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents tenants and buyers. Star is a key member of Hughes Marino’s brokerage team, where she specializes in tenant representation and building purchases. Star also makes frequent media appearances to speak on business issues from a millennial perspective, and regularly writes for Hughes Marino’s “Spaces We Love” blog. Contact Star at 1-844-662-6635, or star@hughesmarino.com.



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