IBX opened its new public-facing innovation center

National health insurance provider Independence Blue Cross (IBX) has unveiled its latest locally focused innovation project: the Center for Innovation, a physical space meant to engage both its own employees and the public.

The two-story, coworking-like space inside IBX’s headquarters at 1901 Market St. — an area which, as Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia President and CEO Rob Wonderling mentioned in a speech at the launch event Thursday morning, was considered a “ghost town” in the 1980s and ’90s — features open lounge areas, meeting rooms, standing desks, a cafe, a pitch room and a game room; walls are lined with greenery, vibrant colors and geometric shapes.

A spokesperson for the company said the first floor of the center — or the 13th floor of the building — is for community and business partners, IBX customers and employees, and health care professionals to host events and meetings. IBX’s innovation team will also host design-thinking workshops and human-centered innovation training. The 14th floor is meant for internal use.

Sound like something you want to be a part of? To gain access, anyone in those groups can email innovation@ibx.com for more information.

“Our new Center for Innovation is a home for the work we do with organizations across the region to find solutions to critical challenges in health care and beyond,” said CEO Daniel J. Hilferty in a statement. “Just as importantly though, it is a space that serves as a catalyst for building meaningful connections between people doing innovative work across the region, and inspiring and igniting new ideas.”

IBX is also partnering with Campus Philly to tailor future programming to college students, said the nonprofit’s president, Deborah Diamond, on Thursday.

The Center for Innovation’s first in-house event will be B. PHL Innovation Fest starting Oct. 15.

Check out some photos of the space below. (All photos by Hector Davila.)