Uptown office tower gets post-pandemic makeover

Wells Fargo is turning 550 S. Tryon in Uptown, the former Duke Energy Center, into a place where employees actually want to come into work.

Why it matters: The days of reserving the best office spaces for the higher-ups are over.

• Companies have accepted that they must entice workers back to the office with sleek amenities, cool collaborative rooms and cafe-like seating .

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Driving the news: Wells Fargo hopped on the trend by opening its three highest, occupiable floors at 550 S. Tryon — 46, 47 and 48 — to all employees. The floors on the second-tallest building in Charlotte offer some of the city's most picturesque views out of its slanted glass windows.

• Previously the floors were Duke Energy's executive suites. Over nine months, Wells Fargo had them gutted and transformed into gathering spaces and workrooms of various sizes.

The big picture: The work is part of Wells Fargo's $500 million, multi-year investment into its Charlotte offices. The bank is renovating its northeast Customer Information Center, and remodeling 14 floors in Three Wells Fargo Center and 21 floors in 550 S. Tryon.

Between the lines: Wells Fargo's umbrella policy requires employees to work in the office three days a week and two days at a location of their choice.

• More than 6,000 workers go to 550 S. Tryon, which was built in 2010. Wells Fargo has about 27,000 employees in Charlotte — more than in its headquarters in San Francisco.

See inside.

A coffee bar on the 46th floor. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Rooms have dividers to split the space. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Rooms have video conferencing. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Wells Fargo worked with gallery Hodges Taylor to commission art. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Private phone booths. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios A focus room where workers can find privacy. They're first come, first serve. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios A focus room with a sit or stand desk. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios This is a social gathering area. There's WiFi throughout if employees want to use their laptops. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Wells Fargo will eventually replace these pictures on the walls with digital screens. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios This is the library. It's a quiet zone, so no talking on phone or conference calls. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios The 10th floor was also renovated as a mid-tower area for employees to gather. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios They're piloting a hot vending machine, which includes a $6.99 chocolate lava cake. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios The 10th floor has an outside area for employees to get fresh air. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios It's all native North Carolina plantings. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios

What's next: At 550 S. Tryon, an employees-only food hall run by Compass Group will open this summer.

• Wells Fargo plans to install its logo atop the building in the coming months but has no exact date yet.
• The bank also plans to upgrade the lights as part of its lights program. They're trying to avoid a blackout, but people may notice some bulbs out on certain nights later this year or early 2025.

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