Michael White, Principal of Gensler Architects

On February 21st, 2013, Michael White, a principal at the architectural firm of Gensler, participated on a panel about creative office in Los Angeles.  He discussed Gensler’s move from the Westside of Los Angeles to Downtown Los Angeles.  According to White, when Gensler announced that they were moving their offices downtown, employees expressed shock and disappointment.

The senior executives noticed that many of the associates rent housing, instead of owning.  Gensler sold the downtown location by stressing that it would be much more affordable for the associates to one day buy in the neighborhoods near downtown than those on the Westside.  According to White, the housing affordability argument helped turn the tide of opinion to a positive one about the move to downtown Los Angeles.