Project Description
Highmark employs over 2,000 people, and the new Dining/ Foodservice areas provide a comfortable & relaxing atmosphere for gathering for meals, snacks, & shopping for gift items. The space formerly occupied by the Bluetique gift shop was incorporated into the new Health Place, a well-equipped health and exercise facility which was renovated along with the Dining / Foodservice. The expanded store continues to provide gourmet coffee along with a variety of gift merchandise. The expanded location also provides a selection of “grab and go” menu items for breakfast and lunch, and an adjacent small café provides limited seating.
The kitchen provides a variety of dining options from sit down meals to take out. New equipment, along with some existing equipment was configured to streamline the preparation & delivery of food. A new contemporary dishwashing and waste collection room was also incorporated.
The new multi-station serving area incorporates an expanded grill, deli, pizza and hot menu items, and the soup and salad stations were expanded to offer takeout items. A primary goal of the design was to eliminate the need to stock food, drinks, and condiments on the public side, and the design allows restocking from the non-public side of the serving stations.
A major portion of the existing patio was enclosed to expand the dining area to accommodate 775 seats. In addition to the tables and chairs, a series of high counters with stools are provided.. The remaining patio area has been redesigned to provide a relaxing alternative to the indoor seating areas with views of the surrounding mountains and woods, and a trellis provides an area of protection from the sun.
The Fitness Center was designed in response to an initiative from the Administration to provide a state-of- the-art facility for their 2,300 employees on the Center Street Campus. The new 2,800 square foot full service fitness center, houses a full complement of both free weights, and machines. Personal trainers & dietitians develop personalized programs for each member.