Flex-space company claims former Shopify HQ on Elgin Street
A new tenant has found a home at Shopify's former headquarters at 150 Elgin St.
But, like the former occupant, they won't be setting up a traditional office in the building.
TCC Canada, The Corporate Centre, operates flexible office and co-working spaces. It announced Thursday that it's transforming the former Shopify HQ into “Ottawa's largest and most masterfully designed co-working space,” positioning the project as an answer to pandemic problems facing businesses and their employees.
“The forced work-from-home experiment created by the pandemic has many employees suffering in silence from their homes without any alternative. And with all the uncertainty, many businesses are understandably hesitant to sign long-term office leases in downtown Ottawa,” a TCC Canada press release says.
It also hailed its takeover as a boon for Elgin Street businesses, which have suffered through years-long construction in addition to COVID-19 lockdowns and workplace closures.
The news broke last September that Shopify was giving up its 170,000 square feet of office space at Elgin Street's Performance Court, and that a search would get underway for one or more tenants to take over the remaining years on its lease, which expires in 2026.
The Ottawa-based e-commerce giant had maintained its headquarters at 150 Elgin St. since October 2014.
A company news release at the time said the custom-designed office could accommodate more than 1,000 employees, had a theme for every floor, and boasted a ball pit, massage room, yoga studio, and other trappings.
Two months into the pandemic, Shopify founder and chief executive Tobi Lütke announced the company was becoming “digital by default” and most of its 5,000 employees would permanently work remotely.
TCC Canada's website says the new location at 150 Elgin St. is open for bookings. Covering more than 100,000 square feet, it's equipped with boardrooms, team rooms and solo offices. They also promoted a cereal bar and kitchen, a “quiet room,” and shared outdoor terrace.
The company was founded in Ottawa, and currently hosts office space at five other locations in the city.