Photo Credit: Alise O'Brien

ST. LOUIS: The workspace for St. Louis-based Buckingham Strategic Wealth, LLC (Buckingham) was undersized and outdated, limiting growth and failing to reflect the premium, bespoke services the wealth management firm delivered to its clients. When Buckingham merged with Colony Group, LLC in 2024 to become Focus Partners Wealth (Focus Partners), the combined firm’s headquarters became a physical expression of a unified culture – modern, inclusive and future-ready.

Focus Partners’ leadership recognized the need to update Buckingham’s original 45,000 sq ft, two-level office space at 190 Carondelet Plaza, to attract and retain top talent, foster collaboration, and embody the firm’s brand values. Lawrence Group’s experienced workplace architects and interior designers were tapped to redesign the locally-based wealth management firm’s workspace.

“The CEO embraced a bold, egalitarian approach. All internal offices at the headquarters would be the same size, but smaller than traditional office layouts to eliminate hierarchy and reinforce the importance of every team member. This progressive mindset set the tone for a workplace designed around equity, flexibility, and connection,” said Lawrence Group Associate Principal, Workplace Sharon Henderson, NCIDQ.

Through innovative furniture solutions and glazed walls, the design team dramatically reduced office footprints while maximizing functionality and daylight. Expansive open areas were reimagined into intimate neighborhoods, creating comfortable zones for focus, collaboration, and connection.

Except for the CEO, HR Director, and receptionist, the entire office adopted free-desking, empowering employees to choose where they work based on their tasks and mood.

Thoughtfully curated artwork, biophilia, glass doors and walls, and accessories infused warmth and personality, transforming the space, completed in June 2025, into a destination employees love. 

The general contractor on the project was Kadean Construction of St. Louis.

About Lawrence Group 

Founded in 1983, Lawrence Group is an integrated planning and design firm headquartered in St. Louis, MO with professional staff in Texas, Florida and New York. Using the power of people with great ideas to bring their clients’ dreams to life, Lawrence Group specializes in architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape architecture and furniture procurement. Lawrence Groups’ talented team of professionals work nationally and locally in healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, housing, senior living and workplace with the common goal of providing legendary customer service.

To learn more about this powerful alignment of experience and expertise, visit www.thelawrencegroup.com or contact Director of Marketing Cindy Hausler, CPSM at cindy.hausler@thelawrencegroup.com