The Arthritis Foundation unveiled its renovated national headquarters in Midtown Atlanta, a project the organization says reaffirms its commitment to the city it has called home for nearly 50 years.
The redesign of the foundation’s nearly 30,000-square-foot headquarters at 1355 Peachtree Street adds a media production studio, updated meeting and collaboration spaces, and multimedia features intended to help the organization reach patients, caregivers, supporters, and partners nationwide.
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“Atlanta has been our home for nearly 50 years, and this transformation represents both our commitment to the city and our vision for the future of the Arthritis Foundation,” said Steve Taylor, the foundation’s president and CEO.
“We’re creating a space that better supports our team, brings people together and gives us new ways to share the stories and experiences of those living with arthritis,” Taylor said. “Ultimately, this is about strengthening our ability to deliver on our mission.”
The centerpiece of the renovation is the Jane Wyman Studio at the Arthritis Foundation, the organization’s first in-house media production studio. The foundation plans to use it to share patient stories, produce educational content, and connect with people affected by arthritis across the country.
The studio is named for Wyman, the Academy Award-winning actress who lived with rheumatoid arthritis and was a longtime foundation supporter. She hosted regional and national Stop Arthritis Telethons for decades and received the organization’s Charles B. Harding Award in 1977. Her estate helped fund the studio.
The space will produce the foundation’s “Live Yes! With Arthritis” podcast, expand its video programming and give patients, advocates and partners a place to share their experiences. Producing content in-house will let the foundation respond more quickly to emerging issues, according to the organization.
The foundation moved its national headquarters to Atlanta in the 1970s. The renovated office supports its work on behalf of the nearly 60 million adults and children in the U.S. living with arthritis.
The project also includes refreshed meeting and gathering spaces, interiors featuring the foundation’s signature colors, multimedia displays recognizing donors and supporters, and new artwork throughout the office.
Warren Hanks Construction Co. completed the renovation, and Smart Interior Group handled the design. The building is owned by Parkside Property Management.
The foundation held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, one for the headquarters and one for the studio, attended by foundation leaders, board members, volunteers and community partners.
The Arthritis Foundation, which describes itself as the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to fighting arthritis, supports research, advocacy, education and community programs for people living with the disease.
