What makes an office cool in 2017 is about more than aesthetics. It has just as much to do with options and openness. Chicago's most innovative, exciting workplaces are visually stunning, but they also prioritize flexibility, better ways to meet, views that are accessible to many rather than a few, and compelling reasons for employees to show up and work together (in person). Offices that were rehabbed or opened after July 1, 2016, were eligible to enter; we received 117 nominations and narrowed them down to 36 for our guest judges. Architect Peter Exley, interior designer Cindy Galvin and ad agency exec and tastemaker Tereasa Surratt evaluated contenders based on the criteria of attractiveness, originality and functionality.
