Tech companies are known for having offices that challenge the white-walled cubicle norm. You've heard about the cafeterias with free food galore, but what about the streamer-decorated corners created just for Instagram opps and conference rooms dedicated to building Lego kingdoms? In this recurring series, we'll take you inside the ridiculously fun rooms at start-ups and mega tech companies that will make you want to submit your CV, stat.
If we had to describe Twitter's New York headquarters in a 140 character tweet, it would go something like this: A speakeasy, latte art, trap doors, and rosé on tap? Yep, Twitter New York is officially cool enough to deserve landmark status #NotFakeNews
Twitter has more than 30 offices around the world, and each is designed to reflect the history and feel of its surrounding environment. In Sydney, the space's light, colourful textures mirror the warm climate and beaches outside. In Singapore, the office features a replication of the city's colourful shophouse windows. And in New York, industrial elements hearken back to the building's beginning.
Located in Chelsea, the Twitter office occupies two renovated pre-war warehouse-style buildings, one of which was originally a wagon house for a department store. The buildings have since been connected to create a cohesive space where you can barely walk more than two feet without coming across a hashtag.
Click through to see our favourite parts of the hashtag-happy office, free gourmet food included.
Twitter New York's exclusive #WallForACause changes regularly and is always designed by local artists inspired by a social issue. The current mural, painted by Harlem-based artist Debra Cartwright, was created to represent #BlackLivesMatter and other meaningful Twitter movements including people of colour.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Twitter's signature blue bird makes many appearances throughout the office (there are even succulent-filled planters in the shape of the bird), but this one painted on brick is a standout.
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper
Twitter's basement-level has a speakeasy vibe. The records and tea pots you see here are from a flea market, and the bookshelf is a shared company library, operating on a "take one, leave one" basis.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
When your sitting area is inspired by a subway shoe-shine station, you know you're in New York. Meanwhile, the red phone booths contain trap doors that lead into the floor's secret coffee bar.
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper
If this coffee bar was open to the public, we would never leave.
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper.
Inside the coffee bar, a Ripple Maker "prints" emoji, employee photos, and seasonal phrases of your choosing on top of lattes. So, yes, should you please, you could sip your face.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
When a coffee break turns into happy hour, on-tap brews are ready.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
This art deco inspired all-purpose area looks more like a cocktail bar than a corporate office space.
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper
Just like at Google and Facebook, Twitter's cafeteria serves employees free breakfast and lunch. This is not the cafeteria lunch you were used to during high school. In-house chef Mark Gandara held stints at renowned New York restaurants Red Rooster and Union Square Cafe before coming on board at the tech company.
Here, a grilled pizza with leeks, spinach, and fried salami from lunch last Thursday.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Breakfast offers options such as a smoothie station and avocado toast bar, while lunch includes a ramen bar, pizza station, and a kale caesar salad that is a current staff favourite.
At right, bass with artichokes, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Large screens mounted throughout the cafeteria project current stats about trending hashtags around the world, so you can never fall behind on the latest news or scandals.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Each floor is equipped with its own mini kitchen, making it virtually impossible to ever feel hungry. And forget pre-packaged snacks. While you can get Lara Bars, M&Ms, and Tamari almonds here, the real standouts are the homemade items: pickles in a signature brine, protein bars, and berry jam from last summer's crop at Upstate Farms.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Also included in those mini kitchens: an endless supply of cold brew, beer, and rosé on tap. But, given that it is a warm weather staple, rosé is only available from spring through fall.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).
Why hold a meeting in a boring conference room when you can have one on comfy couches with trendy, industrial lighting? (That's a rhetorical question.)
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper
For private calls, phone booths decorated with hashtags and other symbols fit the bill.
Image courtesy HLW International. Photo by Chris Cooper.
This neon #LoveWhereYouWork sign originated in Twitter's London office and has since been installed in each of the company's buildings. When you work in an office with all the amenities of Twitter's New York headquarters, it's hard to disagree.
Photo: Courtesy of Kendrek Lyons (@kendrek).Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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