OPPORTUNITY

71 on the North Side, had looked for Downtown space for at least two years. A couple of plans fell through, leading company CEO Ira Sharfin to get creative.

“It just fits perfectly,” Sharfin said of the arrangement. “We’re here in the space, and we can bring in clients to see and try out products.”

Being Downtown offers Continental several benefits. It’s an attraction for its employees who like the environment, and it serves a growing number of companies looking to appeal to younger workers with flexible workspace in an urban setting.

Landlords and tenants have hit “refresh” on Downtown office space, as aging buildings face new competition and companies look to lure workers with perks.

“Columbus is at about 4 percent unemployment now. It’s competitive for employers,” Sharfin said. “There’s only so much you can do in terms of offering additional benefits. Having desirable office space is one way to really differentiate.”

Continental’s offerings go far beyond tables and chairs. Office furnishings today mean tech products such as built-in wall panels that can act as both TV screens and whiteboards. Sharfin and others work at desks that can go from sitting to standing height with the touch of a button. Software will enable clients to do a virtual walk-through of the finished product before they decide to commit to a furniture package from Continental.

A semi-enclosed meeting space in Continental’s area is created by a company called DIRTT Environmental Solutions. The Canadian company offers modern, environmentally friendly prefab office-space kits that are versatile and are assembled without tools. Three small offices, including one used by Sharfin, show how an 8-by-7-foot space can be turned into a comfortable, efficient place to work or to hold an informal meeting with one or two others.

One of Sharfin’s roles as a partner in the Hopewell concept is to work on additional partnerships for the operation that will add value, as the Continental partnership does by providing modern office furnishings.

Hopewell plans to bring in various “thought leaders” to offer classes and talks, for example. And Hopewell also is joining up with the owners of Brioso, the Columbusbased cafe operator, to set up the facility’s coffee bar.

“We want to allow people to work in all shapes and forms,” said Emily Francis, the third co-founder of Hopewell and a former marketing consultant for Chipotle.

“There are so many different ways to approach work, be creative and learn from others along the way.”