HOK has opened its newly designed studio on the fourth floor of a Market Street tower, signaling its commitment to maintaining a downtown St. Louis presence for the long term. The space functions as a modern workplace while demonstrating the firm’s continued investment in the city’s core despite recent challenges in the office market.
Company leaders joined Mayor Cara Spencer, Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi, and representatives from Greater St. Louis, Inc., for the ribbon-cutting, according to First Alert 4. Guests toured the newly completed fourth-floor studio at 700 Market Street, where HOK showcased the space to clients and community leaders.
Leasing move: Peabody Plaza becomes HOK's downtown hub
HOK is relocating its St. Louis office to Peabody Plaza at 701 Market Street, expanding its space by approximately 3,000 square feet to around 42,000 square feet across the fourth and fifth floors, as per REBusinessOnline. The 2024 deal, completed during a 2025 build-out, provides staff with additional collaborative areas and enhanced client amenities compared with the previous office.
A design-forward workplace
The new studio includes an outdoor terrace, a design resource center, and a maker space for model-building and hands-on collaboration. HOK describes these features as key elements of a dynamic and creative workplace. The firm now lists 701 Market Street as its St. Louis studio address, confirming Peabody Plaza as the official home for its local team.
What this means for downtown
Peabody Plaza has seen rising occupancy, with CBRE reporting that leases signed in 2024 helped increase the building’s occupancy from about 70% in 2020 to over 85% by 2024. HOK’s relocation brings the tower closer to full tenancy. Local brokers note that a prominent design firm can attract clients, generate meeting traffic, and bring daytime workers who support street-level businesses that are still rebuilding their weekday foot traffic.
HOK’s decision to remain downtown comes amid ongoing tenant changes, including several high-profile moves over the past year, making major office decisions a key indicator of the central business district’s health. Choosing to stay in the city rather than relocate to the suburbs signals continued confidence in the downtown office market, even as previous reporting has documented both significant departures and new arrivals following the post-pandemic reshuffle.
HOK employs approximately 170 staff in St. Louis, according to REBusinessOnline. Founded in the city in 1955, the firm’s long-standing local presence is seen by city leaders as a potential draw for clients and service firms to return to the downtown area.
