LOCATION
650 Broadway, Everett, MA
SIZE
First Floor (Branch): 3,906 SF
Second Floor: 1,613 SF
Basement: 1,329 SF
Total: 6,848 SF
THE CLIENT
Members Plus Credit Union (MPCU) has been serving members since 1940. As a non-profit organization owned by over 10,000 members, MPCU serves the community and various employer groups. Their mission is to provide quality, innovative, competitive, and secure financial products and services to their expanding membership.
We’re proud to have shared multiple projects with MPCU in past years for various locations, including their Main Office in Medford. In 2018, MPCU acquired Everett Credit Union, and they also attained their existing main office and branch — a 6,848 square foot building with two stories plus a basement.
After the acquisition, MPCU moved into the space and operated out of this building for two years. Although it was in the perfect location and expanded their branch network, MPCU immediately faced a challenge — there had been no updates to the space since the early 2000s.
Overall, the current space was outdated — a branch design with walls in the lobby closing off the waiting area from the teller line. Operationally, it was inefficient for MPCU’s employees and hindered their ability to deliver a personal banking experience for members.
OUR APPROACH
MPCU turned to NES Group to renovate the former main office and branch to update the interior with an open feel and a modern approach to create a space geared towards their brand. We began by evaluating the existing footprint and understanding MPCU’s goals and objectives for this location.
Once we established the new layout for the building, we presented preliminary floor plans, renderings, and a project budget. After approval, we bid the project out to multiple contractors to ensure MPCU would get competitive pricing. The project was awarded to JLN Contracting–a trusted partner of ours with whom we’ve completed several successful projects with. Renovations included complete demolition of the interior. We added all new mechanical, electrical, and lighting systems to accompany the revamped layout with new flooring, millwork, and technology.
During construction, MPCU kept their operations moving with the drive-up open and taking appointments for more complex interactions. The branch staff displayed resilience as they quickly adapted to their environment inside by working on folding tables. We believe that type of dedication provided by banking employees today keeps branch visitors satisfied and even more apt to return.
THE RESULTS
The 3,906 square foot refreshed branch has a spacious lobby with a waiting area, a four-person serpentine teller line, a coin machine, offices, and a conference room. Additionally, the branch has a 24/hr ATM vestibule and a drive-thru providing members with convenience and multiple ways to make their transactions. Prior to the lobby is a work area that includes two offices and a community room for local municipality use. Employees have a comfortable lounge with ample space and amenities on the lower level.
Our interior designers incorporated the same style teller line we custom-designed for their Plymouth branch and utilized similar finishes, millwork, and color palette to keep this location consistent. Since this branch had existing members from Everett Credit Union, it was important to MPCU that the local community is represented through in-branch marketing. We achieved this by welcoming members as they enter through the hallway with MPCU’s logo on one side and the other side, an innovative mural filled with Everett landmarks as a tribute to the history of the community.
The second floor has an additional space, previously a part of the main office, with newly renovated offices and updated furniture. While MPCU doesn’t require the extra space, they intend to rent it out to a business that does, making this building even more versatile.
We’re proud to have provided the architecture, interior design, branding, and project management for this exceptional project for our long-standing partners, MPCU.
