At a time when many companies are fixated on hybrid environments, Maslon’s new Capella Tower law office in downtown Minneapolis leads with art.

Midcentury artwork lines the walls of the airy space, part of a private collection from law firm founder Samuel Maslon and his wife, Luella. Artists include Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg. The Maslons donated other works to museums, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art. 

In anticipation of the move to Capella, the firm—one of Minnesota’s largest—worked with Perkins&Will to design the new office space with art as the centerpiece; a major design principle was to think about how someone experiences the art as they move through the work environment.

“The artwork … just brings people a sense of joy and well-being.”

—Jon Septer, partner and chair of real estate practice, Maslon

“When we decided to build new office space, we were looking for something with a special energy,” says Jon Septer, a partner and chair of the real estate practice group at Maslon. “I really think we’ve achieved that. The bright, open design of the space offers more settings for social interaction and collaboration, and the artwork … just brings people a sense of joy and well-being.”

The move from Maslon’s longtime home at Wells Fargo Center does reflect a downsizing, from 45,000 square feet to 35,000. But Maslon board chair Keiko Sugisaka says the relocation demonstrates a commitment to downtown Minneapolis and a desire to create a space where both employees and clients feel engaged.

The move also plays to the firm’s history, bringing Maslon back to its original location. The Capella Tower was built on the former site of the 12-story Builders Exchange Building, where founder Maslon and his partners first opened Maslon Kaplan Edelman Joseph & Borman in 1956. The Builders Exchange was razed in 1985. The Capella Tower opened in 1992, originally under the name First Bank Place; it was renamed in 2008. Says Sugisaka, “It’s a serendipitous reminder of our roots and the legacy of Sam Maslon.”

What: Maslon LLP
Where: 225 S. Sixth St., Suite 2900, Minneapolis
Size:35,000 square feet
Designer: Perkins&Will
Photographer: Corey Gaffer at Gaffer Photography