Movin’ on up, Moooovin’ on up!
I have some more elating news, well at least I’m excited about it; yesterday Charles and I signed a lease for our very first office! We are both looking forward to moving out of our dark, depressing home offices into something a bit more professional. You know, somewhere you don’t have to hide your boxers if a client comes by.
The office is on the 3rd floor of a historical downtown building, the Hotel Virginia (built in 1920), that has recently been completely renovated and turned into loft style office spaces. Exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and views over the city – the space exudes creativity.
Since we just signed the lease, the drywall and final pieces haven’t been put in, but we’re supposed to be able to move in at the beginning of September. We have to send over paint samples to the developer within the next couple days as well as marking off where we want our power/phone/data outlets. We also have a trip to IKEA planned for later this month.
Our one year anniversary of being in business is coming up next month (September 3rd) and getting an office by this time was one of our original goals when we started out. Thankfully this feels more like a natural progression that isn’t being forced. Element really has been doing well and I can’t wait to see where we are next year.
That place looks awesome, congratulations. When are you installing the pool table and bar?
Thanks. I don’t know if we’ll have room for that stuff after we get the sacrificial alter and life-size Rock’em Sock’em Robots in there.
I can’t wait to see it in person… I love the exposed brick — it really is the perfect place for your office. :)
I’m jealous that you got the 3rd floor corner. I toured the building today, saw all the spaces, and am exciting about the possibilities for that building.
How has your experience been dealing with Macvaugh?
Yeah we almost didn’t get that office, it was the one we originally wanted but there was another renter trying to get it at the same time.
Overall the experience has been OK. It’s taking a bit longer to get the office ready to move in, part of which is our fault in trying to get everything just the way we want it. I know the big hold up has been that they haven’t been able to get PG&E to install their junk for power.
Are you thinking about getting a space in there?
Jake (the owner – he gave us the tour since Hoss was running late) said the power is supposed to be on later this month, and made it sound like you’d be in there soon – he also pointed out that you have to run your own cat5 lines…
I’m looking at options, but that’s a great location. A partner and I really want ground floor, but those are big spaces and much more expensive. That said, the whole building looks nice, and we’re going to talk it through a bit more.
Perhaps I can buy you a coffee or a beer sometime to talk shop, hear a bit more about your experience, and find out about the services Element provides.
Yeah, that’s what we are waiting on, we have someone pulling the cables for us hopefully by the end of the week.
Would love to get together, shoot me an email sometime.