Insurance companies are housed in some of the most stunning examples of corporate architecture. From striking futuristic and eco-friendly designs to classic and iconic structures, these headquarters in many cases reflect the characteristics of the carriers themselves.
Here's a look at some of the insurance industry's most eye-catching headquarters, from Boston to Milan.
State Farm, Bloomington, Ill.
The design of State Farm's corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Ill., is pure modernism—and is arguably reflective of the company's no-nonsense ethos of integrity, transparency, simplicity and strength. The 12-story building and two connected four-story buildings were constructed in 1972; another two four-story buildings were added in 1987.
Designed by: Ellerbe & Co., 1971
Photo Source: State Farm
Travelers, St. Paul, Minn.
With its distinctive pyramid-shaped, protective top, Travelers' headquarters is the tallest building in downtown St. Paul, Minn. The 525,000-square-foot, 17-story office building features a sign with the Travelers name and its signature red umbrella—a symbol of the insurer's mission to anticipate challenges and shelter its customers from loss.
Travelers' St. Paul location is home to more than 2,000 employees and also comprises the South Building, which has been part of the campus since 1909. The buildings are linked by a sky bridge and tunnel and together contain more than 750,000 square feet of office space.
Designed by: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates., 1991
Photo Source: Travelers Insurance
Zurich, Milan
Zurich's Italian headquarters in Milan is a high-tech, post-modern building designed by architect Alessandro Scandurra that reflects the Swiss-based insurer's longtime philosophy of embracing new ideas and opportunity. Completed in 2009, this unique building has received a lot of attention for not only having an innovative exterior but an interestingly decorated interior as well.
Designed by: Alessandro Scandurra, 2009
Photo Source: Alessandro Scandurra
Lloyd's of London
In stark contrast to its status as the oldest insurer, Lloyd's of London has one of the most striking, futuristic headquarters on the list. The building, located at 1 Lime Street in London, was completed in 1986 but still looks way ahead of its time—and speaks to the specialist insurance and reinsurance market's penchant for unusual, envelope-pushing risk.
Designed by architect Richard Rogers, the building stands on the site of the old Roman Forum. The 1925 facade still survives, appearing "strangely stranded" with the modern building visible through the gates on the northern side on Leadenhall Street. In 2011, it was listed as a Grade I "building of exceptional interest" by heritage minister John Penrose.
Designed by: Richard Rogers, 1986
Photo Source: Lloyd's of London
Swiss Re, London
Swiss Re's London office is located in the award-winning 30 St. Mary Axe Tower. The landmark skyscraper, known as "the gherkin," was designed by architect Norman Foster and opened on May 25, 2004.
The building is London's first environmentally sustainable tall building, with distinct windows that open to allow natural ventilation to supplement the mechanical systems for a good part of the year—just one aspect of this 40-floor structure's reflection of Swiss Re's commitment to renewable energy. On the building's top level, there is a bar for tenants and their guests featuring a 360-degree view of London.
Designed by: Norman Foster, 2004
Photo Source: Nigel Young, Foster + Partners
Liberty Mutual, Boston
The Liberty Mutual Insurance building in Boston was built in 1936. This classic structure is getting a modern addition within the next few years (inset): Liberty Mutual Tower, the new addition to Liberty Mutual's Boston campus, will be attached to the original building by a glass sky bridge—which could be considered a design metaphor for the insurer's expansion into new areas of risk as a new century unfolds.
Campus designed by: Chester Churchill, 1935
Tower designed by: CBT Architects
Photo Source: Liberty Mutual Insurance
Willis Tower, Chicago
Willis Group Holdings' U.S. headquarters is located in the iconic Willis Tower in Chicago. Formerly the Sears Tower, Willis leased a portion of the building and obtained naming rights in 2009—consciously drawing a parallel between its status as one of the largest insurance brokers and one of the world's tallest buildings, the seventh-tallest freestanding structure in the world, at 110 stories.
Designed by: Bruce Graham, 1973
Photo Source: Anne Hornyak
Willis Building, London
Designed by architect Norman Foster, Willis' outstanding headquarters in London's financial center stands opposite Lloyd's equally futuristic structure. The building features a "stepped" design, which was intended to resemble the shell of a crustacean.
The Willis Building is London's fourth-tallest building after Tower 42, 30 St. Mary Axe and CityPoint.
Designed by: Norman Foster, 2008
Photo Source: Henry Lawford
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