Reverb Headquarters

Reverb, the largest online marketplace for new, used, and vintage musical instruments, sought to create a headquarters that would reconnect employees after years of remote work while strengthening ties to Chicago’s music scene. The ideal location emerged in a low-rise brick building on the northern edge of the Salt Shed complex, a dynamic indoor-outdoor music venue along the Chicago River.

Gensler partnered with Reverb to craft a music-infused headquarters that resonates with the brand’s identity and the staff’s audiophile culture, bridging the company’s digital roots with the analog soul of the instruments it celebrates. The project involved adaptive reuse of the historic Morton Salt facility, preserving its architectural character while integrating modern systems, technologies, and amenities to support a vibrant, collaborative workplace and in-office events.

Reverb’s design features flexible workspaces and office essentials, while also enhancing the experience for music enthusiasts and visiting artists with the inclusion of a rooftop deck with views of the Salt Shed’s grounds and main stage, a mezzanine café overlooking a multipurpose event space and indoor stage, and a state-of-the-art recording studio. Thoughtful materials, lighting, and subtle instrument-inspired details honor the building’s industrial heritage while expressing Reverb’s brand. Together, these environments foster creativity, collaboration, and Reverb’s deep connection to Chicago’s music culture.