Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty wasn’t afraid to admit it. The HQ Plaza ownership team wasn’t afraid to acknowledge it. The one-million-square-foot complex, which has been the business center of the city for two generations, has not always been the most welcoming.
It is now.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dougherty and the co-owners — Brian Fisher (principal partner of Fisher Development Associates) and Seth Schochet (CEO of the Olnick Organization) — cut the ribbon on a vibrant transformation that brings open space, light, energy and excitement to ground floors that previously would have been described as dark and dreary.
Designed by Gensler, HQ Plaza now has a welcoming central meeting place. And not just for corporate events but social gatherings for the tenants, many of which were on hand for the ceremony.
HQ Plaza has returned to what it was when it opened in 1980: A modern workplace.
That’s the way Fisher sees it.
“Repositioning HQ Plaza required a comprehensive approach to design, infrastructure, and tenant experience,” he said. “Key components of the property were thoughtfully upgraded to create a workplace and environment that reflects how people want to work, meet, and connect today. The result is a dynamic setting that combines premium office space with hospitality and lifestyle offerings, bringing renewed energy and sophistication to downtown Morristown.”
The newly completed renovation includes a revitalized main concourse linking the office towers and Hyatt, featuring lounge areas, dining, and adaptable workspaces infused with natural light and biophilic design. Enhanced physical and digital wayfinding guides tenants and visitors through collaborative zones, amenities, and conference spaces.
The HQ Garden Lounge transforms a former circulation area into a dynamic environment with seating, translucent daylighting, and integrated hospitality and AV support. Conference rooms, managed with Hyatt-level service, feature transparent walls, large screens, and flexible furniture. Communal tables throughout the concourse support informal meetings and work sessions, fostering an inviting and connected atmosphere.
Schochet said that connectivity is key.
“HQ Plaza now offers a truly integrated environment for tenants, visitors, and the surrounding community,” he said. “From the modernized concourse and office spaces to the expanded dining and public areas, the complex brings together work, hospitality, and local culture. Its location within walking distance of Morristown’s lively downtown and robust restaurant scene, with convenient public transportation access, also provides employers with a unique advantage in attracting top-tier talent.”
The reinvention also extends outdoors, where a 50,000-square-foot public plaza has been redesigned to accommodate tenant and community events, complementing HQ Plaza’s new dining lineup, which includes Sushi Lounge, Parkside Tavern, and Masseria by Joe Cetrulo along Speedwell Avenue. The restaurants now activate the exterior streetscape with outdoor seating, further connecting HQ Plaza to Morristown’s bustling downtown and vibrant street life.
Dougherty, who has led a renaissance in the city, certainly sees it that way.
“The reopening of HQ Plaza marks a bold new chapter for a landmark that has long stood at the heart of Morristown,” he said. “With thoughtfully redesigned spaces, exciting new dining experiences, and vibrant, welcoming public areas, HQ Plaza has been reimagined to meet the needs of our community. This transformation reinforces its legacy as a central gathering place for residents, professionals, and visitors alike. I’m proud to celebrate this important milestone with our town and excited for what the future holds.”
Gensler, the esteemed architectural firm that has an office in Morristown, worked closely with the ownership team to shape a design inspired by Morristown’s active street life and the evolving connection between workspace and community.
So said René Cruz, the project director of this multi-year effort.
“The transformation of this space for HQ Plaza creates yet another asset for the town where both tenants and community can enjoy a flexible and adaptive environment,” he said. “The lounge was designed to be HQ Plaza’s hub of activity and experience, whether it be impromptu or purposeful.”
HQ Plaza encompasses 650,000 square feet of Class A office space, 100,000 square feet of retail, the 256-room Hyatt Regency Morristown, a 40,000-square-foot Crunch health club with indoor pool, and a 10-screen AMC theater atop a 3,000-space parking garage.
The onsite Hyatt, which underwent its own renovation in 2021 and also designed by Gensler, features 31,000 square feet of meeting and conference space with four large ballrooms, 32 flexible conference rooms, and enhanced catering and audiovisual services.
What does all this really mean?
HQ Plaza is again a top destination for business.
HQ Plaza’s physical transformation coincides with a period of strong leasing momentum, according to Robert Donnelly, Jr., vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield, which serves as the leasing agent.
“Over the past three years, more than 225,000 square feet of new leases have been signed at the complex, including 23 new tenants that have moved in or are scheduled to move in by 2026,” he said. “In the past year alone, 14 new leases totaling more than 100,000 square feet have been signed, further enhancing HQ Plaza’s evolving office and retail environment.”
Among them, KPMG has expanded its footprint, adding approximately 10,000 square feet on the ground floor in addition to the 66,000 square feet it leased earlier this year. KPMG plans to build enhanced conference facilities to support collaboration, bringing its total HQ Plaza presence to approximately 76,000 square feet when it moves in next year.
Put another – there’s no more room.
Donnelly said no single floor spaces are available.
“That’s a credit to the transformation that has taken place here,” he said.
