TPG DESIGNS FLAGSHIP BRANCH OF PEOPLE'S UNITED BANK
 
New York, NY - December 19, 2012 - TPG Architecture announces that it has just completed the design of a new branch for People's United Bank, a premier regional bank in the Northeast offering commercial and retail banking as well as wealth management services. Highly visible, situated on the corner of Park Avenue and 47th Street, the new branch will serve customers who commute into Manhattan as well as potential new customers.

The nearly 8,000 square foot space at 250 Park Avenue had been an Audi showroom. It boasts 18' ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows facing Park Avenue and 47th Street. TPG took advantage of this premier visual space to design 9'x5' video screens on which proprietary video, graphics, news and marketing information are displayed. The media takes full advantage of the corner location and ensures maximal visibility, particularly at night.

Based in Connecticut, People's United Bank is a community-based bank that has grown into one of the country's largest banks since its founding in 1842. With over 170 years of history and deep roots in the New England community, its reputation - the core of its brand - is based on trust, stability and building solid relationships with customers. The bank has a solid presence in the greater New York metropolitan area with over 100 branches in Fairfield and Westchester Counties as well as on Long Island, but has not had a flagship location in New York City.

Given TPG's extensive portfolio of corporate interiors and retail work, much for financial services, the designers understand the culture of banking. Designing the People's United flagship location was a welcome challenge, with the creative tension of maintaining the existing brand identity while simultaneously presenting a new look befitting the bank's high-visibility location at the center of the midtown business district.

The designers looked to traditional New England town vernacular for inspiration as they developed an interior that integrates traditional elements - crown moldings, baseboards, cherry wood furniture and millwork - with cutting-edge technology and sleek design elements that convey the bank's know-how and expertise - a free-standing glass-walled cube, oversized video screens and transparent doors.

The central glass-walled cube housing offices and small meeting spaces provides privacy and confidentiality, but maintains a sense of spaciousness and openness. On the surface of the glass cube, TPG Branding, a unit of TPG Architecture, created custom environmental graphics that tie into People's United brand messaging and tagline: "What know-how can do." The graphics incorporate the People's United brand typography and messaging.

"The majority of existing People's United branches are located outside of New York City," notes Jim Phillips, Founder of TPG Architecture. "Bringing the bank into midtown has meant bringing metropolitan style to a classic banking environment."

The new design is also meant to be transferable, easily adaptable to new branches in both the suburbs and the city. For the project, TPG Architecture is the Design Architect. Silver Petrucelli & Associates, architects based in Hamden, CT, which has a longstanding relationship with People's United Bank, is the Executive Architect.

TPG Architecture was founded in 1979 and has grown from a small partnership to a design firm of approximately 190 staff, with offices in New York City, Long Island and London. While the firm's core competencies are in corporate and retail design, TPG has cultivated practice groups in education, broadcast, architecture, healthcare and branding and graphics. Current and recent clients include: HBO, British Airways, HSBC, Batali and Bastianich Hospitality Group, Weber Shandwick, Chase Bank, DKNY, SL Green and Specific Media.

 
For more information contact Pam Jacobs at pjacobs@tpgarchitecture.com or 212.536.5088.
 
© 2012 TPG Architecture, LLP