Invenergy Expands Headquarters at 1 South Wacker Drive With 230K-SF Buildout by Skender

Key Points

• Skender completed a 230,000 square foot headquarters buildout at 1 South Wacker Drive in Chicago for energy developer Invenergy. 
• The project expanded Invenergy’s presence from three floors to seven floors in the downtown office tower.
• The redesigned workspace includes an 8,000 square foot global operations control center, roof decks, and a multi-floor atrium stair.

What The Headquarters Expansion Means For 1 South Wacker Drive In Chicago

A major office buildout has been completed at 1 South Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, where energy company Invenergy expanded its headquarters footprint. General contractor Skender delivered the 230,000 square foot renovation and buildout, significantly increasing Invenergy’s presence in the building. The company originally occupied floors 18 through 20, but the expansion added five additional floors from 14 to 17, bringing the total to seven floors. The project reflects Invenergy’s continued commitment to maintaining a major corporate presence in Chicago’s central business district.

What The Renovation Scope Means For The Office Transformation

The headquarters project involved both renovation and new construction within the existing office tower. Skender upgraded Invenergy’s original three floors while completing the demolition and full buildout of the five additional levels. The work was delivered in three construction phases over a 12-month period. Several firms collaborated on the project, including Lumen Workplace as the owner’s representative, Partners by Design as the architect, and Syska Hennessy as the project engineer.

What The Workplace Design Means For Employee Collaboration

The newly completed headquarters was designed to emphasize connectivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. The space features an open office layout intended to support team interaction and flexibility as the company grows. A three floor atrium staircase visually connects multiple levels of the office while encouraging movement throughout the workspace. Floor 15 now serves as the central hub of the headquarters, anchored by a new reception area and boardroom designed for both executive meetings and company wide gatherings.

What The Operations Control Center Means For Invenergy’s Global Energy Network

One of the most significant features of the buildout is a state of the art operations center. The headquarters now includes an 8,000 square foot control center responsible for managing global power markets and energy operations. This facility supports Invenergy’s role as one of the largest privately held developers, owners, and operators of power infrastructure in North America. The new operations hub allows the company to monitor energy generation and distribution across its growing portfolio of projects.

What The Headquarters Investment Means For Downtown Chicago Offices

The expansion at 1 South Wacker Drive highlights how some companies are continuing to invest heavily in office space despite broader shifts in workplace trends. The design includes two rooftop decks, a large café, and collaborative gathering areas, reinforcing the idea of the office as a central place for company culture and teamwork. For downtown Chicago, projects like this demonstrate how major corporate tenants are reimagining office environments to support growth, employee engagement, and long-term presence in the city’s business district.