THE ARIES CLUB
with Gensler
Photo Credit: Michael Stavaridis
The Aries Club is located in Boston’s iconic Philip Johnson–designed International Place and is part of a larger repositioning that contemporizes the buildings’ shared spaces while honoring their original character. Its name, drawn from the Aries zodiac sign, draws inspiration from the Ram featured in the building’s logo, establishing a brand identity that is authentically rooted in the site.
Photo Credit: Michael Stavaridis
Conceived as a private members’ club for tenants, Aries Club is designed to feel both aspirational and timeless, much like a storied fashion house that evolves without losing its soul. The goal was to create a destination that brings together elegance, purpose, and a sense of belonging, shaping an environment that is equally suited for business and leisure and appealing across generations.
Photo Credit: Cynthia Bartley
Photo Credit: Michael Stavaridis
Amid a competitive Class A market, the club reimagines how amenity space can elevate the contemporary workplace experience. A bold design approach amplifies the building’s brand identity while introducing amenities that cultivate connection, community, and engagement. Located on a lower floor with limited views, the space presented an opportunity to transform a nontraditional leasable area into a highly activated, immersive environment.
Photo Credit: Michael Stavaridis
The layout embraces the building’s distinctive circular geometry, turning what might have been seen as a design constraint into a defining feature of the experience. Along the curved plan, a mix of amenities encourages exploration and discovery at every turn. The sequence unfolds with a boardroom, multipurpose and wellness rooms, game room, and a golf simulator that converts into a movie room, alongside an F1 simulator and podcast studio, culminating in the bar and terrace. Thoughtful programming and flexible design allow different areas to be used for private events while the rest of the club remains active and accessible, supporting gatherings of all scales—from intimate meetings and client events to larger social occasions.
A palette of deep reds, marble, glass, leather, velvet, and metals draws on the architectural richness of the building lobbies, creating a cohesive design that feels like a natural extension of the building. Custom details—from archways referencing Johnson’s Palladian windows to glasswork and acoustic millwork—add layers of refinement and craftsmanship throughout.
Photo Credit: Michael Stavaridis
At the heart of the club, a ceiling mural depicting constellations—based on hand-drawn artwork by a member of the design team—anchors the bar. Curated works by local artists and bespoke furnishings and fixtures complete the experience, shaping a wholly distinctive destination unique to the building.
Operated by Convene, the club benefits from an onsite concierge team that manages the flow and calibration of the environment throughout the day. This partnership ensures that hospitality and design work in concert, creating a luxurious, memorable experience that feels authentically tied to International Place.
Partners:
General Contractor – Columbia Construction
Landscape Architecture – Office of James Burnett
Lighting – Tillotson Design Associates
MEP – Cosentini Associates
Furniture – Officeworks Inc.
Art Curation – Alchemy Station
A/V – USIS
Structural – McNamara Salvia Structural Engineers
Food Service – Crabtree Mcgrath Associates
Acoustical – Intertek
Curtainwall Consultant – Wiss, Janney, Elstner (WJE) Associates
Designer Monologues the Podcast from IIDA New England with your host Brett Berry is officially LIVE!! On this show, we’ll share the stories behind the design of repurposing, developing and reshaping our communities. Incubated from the minds and skills of New England’s talented design community, you’ll hear how visual inspiration can come from nature, our history, current trends and more as we take you on a story-telling journey behind design.
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