Tech company’s remodeling of floor at 81 Metcalfe entices employees back to the office
How commercial space is utilized and valued is forever changed following the pandemic. Colonnade BridgePort CEO Hugh Gorman advises that landlords and tenants need to work together more than ever to bring employees back to the office.
“The shared objective must be to create workplaces that are welcoming, safe, and support collaboration and creativity,” he said. “In short, offices need to be transformed into spaces where people want to be.”
That’s exactly what Ottawa technology consultancy firm Orangutech Inc. was looking to do when it leased office space at 81 Metcalfe Street; a property owned by investors, including majority-owner Marlin Spring, and managed by Colonnade BridgePort.
What ultimately attracted Orangutech to the property was the opportunity to completely remodel a 5,200 sq.ft. floor to accommodate its new hybrid work model. Orangutech made improvements and added key amenities to create a bright, colourful, open office space – a design developed with the objective to entice employees back to an inviting work environment.
“We wanted to ensure that our office was a place our employees wanted to be, so it was out with cubicles and in with large spaces, lots of natural night, and colourful décor,” said Orangutech Inc. CEO Barry Doucette. “As we adjust to the new work normal, Orangutech is appreciative to have found a great downtown location with owners who encouraged us to create a space that best fit our needs and that will allow our employees and business to thrive.”
For Marlin Spring, the entire building has a role to play in creating an ideal work environment. At 81 Metcalfe, a renovated lobby and new high-speed elevators complement the many tenant amenities including secured bicycle racks, showers, and a common meeting room. The building also features a Starbucks on the ground floor.
“From the second someone walks in the front doors to the second those doors close behind them on their way out, they are part of an experience unique to that space,” said Marlin Spring Senior Vice President, Strategic Operations Hammad Ahmar. “We are proud of the experience that 81 Metcalfe provides and we look forward to continuing to work with Orangutech and other new tenants to ensure the building is a place where people want to be.”
Situated at the corner of Metcalfe and Slater Streets in Ottawa’s downtown core, 81 Metcalfe is minutes from HWY 417 and steps from the Parliament LRT Station. It’s within walking distance of many shops, restaurants, hotels, and services.
Suites ranging from 1,900 sq.ft. up to a complete floor of 5,200 sq.ft. are now available.
Contact Paul Miller to learn more about availability or to arrange a tour of 81 Metcalfe.