As expected, news of Citigroup’s plans to redecorate their offices to the tune of $10 million dollars attracted some spillover populist outrage, although they didn’t get nearly as much attention as they might have if AIG hadn’t been hogging the spotlight. Still, Keith Olbermann ripped into Vikram Pandit in an especially hair-raising Special Comment last night:
You, Sir, and the other corporate pirates like you — those who are saved from your obsessive spending and greed and self-aggrandizement by the taxpayer — who then pretend to atone — who then publicly promise good behavior — and who then revert immediately to the rapaciousness that is your only skill.
Please, dude, the Vikster is not rapacious. Look at him. He’s vivacious! Anyway, a Citigroup spokesman defended the plans to The Wall Street Journal today as efficiency measures, and a source filled them in on how it’s going to look, aesthetically.
Please, dude, the Vikster is not rapacious. Look at him. He’s vivacious! Anyway, a Citigroup spokesman defended the plans to The Wall Street Journal today as efficiency measures, and a source filled them in on how it’s going to look, aesthetically.
The new floor plan features offices with glass walls, designed to create a more open atmosphere. It has common areas to encourage spontaneous meetings of executives, according to people familiar with the matter.
Spontaneous meetings! Love it. Get the ideas flowing over there. Of course, a few things had to go.
People familiar with the company’s plans said that certain design elements have been nixed since the initial planning phase, including a Zen garden.
We know Vikram is probably disappointed. But it’s okay. Trust falls are still free.
Citi Defends Redesign, Plans a Reverse Split [WSJ]
Olbermann: Time to get tough on bankers [MSNBC]
Earlier: Citigroup’s $10 Million Office Plans May Threaten Stability of Taxpayer Minds
