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Alfred Williams and Company is uplifting its people and partnerships with an office face-lift.
Alfred Williams and Company knows that if you build it, they will come.
Returning to its DTR roots in 2011 after a stint on Capital Boulevard, the furnishing and design firm is now doubling down on Downtown with an aim to be ambassadors of the city’s beating heart. “We were founded on Fayetteville Street,” remarks Katherine Thomas, VP of business development & marketing. “This is where we began—and we wanted to be a part of the resurgence.”
Launched a century and a half ago on stationery and books, the industry stalwart went on to add a full range of office furnishings—plus workspace strategy services, interior design and modular construction. Now, reinforcing their commitment to DTR—and upping their game—they recently invested in their Salisbury Street digs with a swanky upfit to benefit exactly who and what has played such a crucial part in that continued success through the years—their people and facilities.
Essentially the not-a-showroom studio transforms the archetypal office into a light-drenched, fluid space that literally demonstrates the company’s products and services in motion. Renovated with three key themes in mind—hospitality, flexibility and choice—all workstations and suites are fabricated from the company’s vision and products.
With space for up to a 200-person meeting, the new setup has ample room to provide hospitality to groups of every size—thus leaning into the local biz’s second theme: flexibility—“not just in the way that we host,” says Market President Montgomery Morris, “but also in the way we service our employees.”
And the devil is in the details—designed with and for employees—from the hidden fridge and cabinets in the kitchen to art depicting the hands of Ed Curtis, who worked at the company for 81 years and taxied to work once he was unable to drive.
In short, the reason Alfred Williams and Company has stood the test of time—and the threat of newer competition—is its ability to attract and retain talent. “People do business with people they know they can trust,” says Thomas, “and it’s about hiring and training a team you can trust so they can deliver.”
And the updated space has brought that vision to fruition. “People of different departments, different teams, sit [here] and having lunch together” says Morris—“that’s exactly why we did this.” Those relationships are going to get stronger; those ties are going to get better; there is going to be more trust between each team and that’s the culture we want to create.” alfredwilliams.com
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