Since Blue Cross Blue Shield was founded in Dallas in 1929, it made sense to company leaders that the city’s Historic West End would serve as a launching point for their firm’s future. Hence, the C1 Innovation Lab — located in a 114-year-old former cracker and candy manufacturing building — is ground zero for outside-of-the-box company problem-solving.
Take a visual tour below, and read more about how the C1 Innovation Lab landed in Dallas’ Historic West End here.
![Blue Cross Blue Shield C1: Innovation Lab in the West End Dallas, Texas. Photo by Quincy Preston for Dallas Innovates.](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/BCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DIBCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DI311_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1DSC_7672115111.jpg)
The Blue Cross Blue Shield C1 Innovation center takes two floors in Granite’s Factory Six03 — the 114-year-old former site of the Brown Cracker & Candy Co.
![A timeline displays the building's history.](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/002_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1BCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DIBCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DI241_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1DSC_76027874.jpg)
Visitors, collaborators and employees readily see a timeline that displays the building’s history.
![Blue Cross Blue Shield C1: Innovation Lab in the West End Dallas, Texas. Photo by Quincy Preston for Dallas Innovates.](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/BCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DIBCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DI247_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1DSC_76088076.jpg)
Blue Cross Blue Shield honored the “building’s DNA” in the innovation space’s design, which includes exposed brick, original flooring and plenty of open space for collaboration.
![](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/043_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1BCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DIBCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DI028_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1DSC_73890707.jpg)
Granite Properties developed the former Brown Candy & Cracker Co. building — now called Factory Six03 — with the intention of attracting younger, creative thinkers.
Welcome to the C1 Innovation Lab
A light display greets visitors with changing color.
![](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Summer-Wright-Collins_BCBS_C1InnovationCenter_08-2017_QCP_DI290_BCBSInnovationCenter_C1DSC_765194.jpg)
Summer Wright Collins, Blue Cross Blue Shield divisional vice president of design and innovation, led the tour of the C1 Innovation Lab.
C1 offers a mix of collaboration space and private areas
A central point, located at the center of the C1 Innovation Lab, serves as gathering space for regular team meetings, where individuals can discuss what they’re working on. Other areas offer a mix of private and open working conditions.
Individual workspaces are designed for ergonomics
Space is designed to inspire creativity and collaboration
Common areas offer a place to relax
[Photos: Dallas Innovates]