Salesforce previews top-floor Buckhead tower space for nonprofit events

Warren Wick (center), Salesforce's North American president, speaks to guests in the new 'Ohana Room during its March 2 grand opening. Credit: Rob Knight

Expansive skyline views and plant-covered walls are among the features of a new community space the tech company Salesforce is opening on the top floor of its Buckhead office tower.

The “‘Ohana Floor” occupies the 34th story of the Salesforce Atlanta Tower at 950 East Paces Ferry Road. The company offered a preview of the space March 2 in advance of an expected availability in August.

A seating area in Salesforce’s ‘Ohana Floor as seen during a March 2 preview. Credit: Rob Knight

Offered for free to select nonprofit and civic groups for major events, ‘Ohana Floors are a component of six Salesforce towers in the U.S. and London, with several more planned around the world. “‘Ohana” is a Hawaiian term for extended family that the California-based software company uses in a broad sense of social engagement.

The ‘Ohana Floor is not the place you will be holding a birthday party or wedding. Salesforce vets would-be renters as nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and foundations with “a focus on humanitarian, social, educational or environmental causes,” according to a press release. The Salesforce website says the floor is suitable for receptions, fundraising galas, “executive-level board meetings” and seated dinners.

Danny Akaka blows a shell horn as part of the ‘Ohana Floor’s opening. Credit: Rob Knight

Other ‘Ohana Floors have been popular, according to the company’s website, with renters restricted to one event every 12 months and a six-month lead time on reservations. In addition, all reservations have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Atlanta ‘Ohana Floor has a capacity of 150 and includes such features as a coffee bar and a chef’s table.

Expansive skyline views are a feature of the Salesforce tower. Credit: Rob Knight

Warren Wick, Salesforce’s North American president, led a ribbon-cutting at the March 2 event. Appearing with, including for a ceremonial blowing of a seashell, were Danny and Anna Akaka, Hawaiian culture experts who frequently appear at resorts and corporate events.

Among the public officials in attendance were Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman, City Councilmember Matt Westmoreland, state Rep. Betsy Holland (D-Atlanta) and Gabriel Sterling, the Georgia elections official known nationally for sparring with former President Trump over 2020 conspiracy theories.

A library-like seating area of the Salesforce Tower lobby. Credit: Rob Knight

“Salesforce has contributed to the innovation, economic growth and social impact in Atlanta for years,” said Shipman in a press release after the event. “The opening of the Salesforce Tower Atlanta ‘Ohana Floor is another example of how the company continues to invest in the community. We’re delighted to have this beautiful space available to our city.”

A hallway in the ‘Ohana Floor, where pillars are covered in live plants. Credit: Rob Knight

The Buckhead tower is the regional hub for Salesforce, which opened Atlanta offices in 2013. In 2018, the company announced a multimillion-dollar expansion of the offices and received a $2 million state grant as an incentive. The company promised to add 600 jobs over the next five years and now says it has already exceeded that goal with more than 1,000 jobs.

The company said that over the years, it has given $4.6 million in grants to local nonprofits and its staff has volunteered for more than 71,000 collective hours in the area.

For more scenes from the ‘Ohana Floor preview, see our gallery below. For more details about rentals, see the company’s website.

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