Coworking space operator TCC Canada breathes new life into Shopify’s iconic Elgin Street HQ

One of Canada’s largest providers of coworking and flexible workspace has snapped up space at Shopify’s former Elgin Street headquarters, opening opportunities for businesses to set up shop in what is arguably the city’s most unique and high-profile office space.

TCC Canada’s move to reignite Shopify’s space at 150 Elgin St. comes as many employers are rethinking their office space requirements and how to provide a workplace that attracts talent, promotes collaboration between staff and presents a professional image to clients while still maintaining flexible remote-work options that became commonplace in 2020.

TCC Canada already operates a network of shared and virtual office spaces across Ottawa and is adding the iconic former Shopify HQ which has multiple interconnected floors of uniquely designed space – each of which is its own “ecosystem” of shared spaces and private offices – to its local portfolio.

As businesses look to bring teams back together, 150 Elgin St. offers a premium employee experience without a long-term lease commitment, says Sean Cochrane, president of TCC Canada.

“One of the biggest things employees are looking for is flexibility around where and how they work,” he says. “Whether that’s in a single office, a team room or an entire floor, at 150 Elgin St. you can still enjoy that highly collaborative ecosystem and that flexibility without having to break the bank or commit to a 10 year lease.”

Cost savings

While the former Shopify office is known for its playful amenities such as a slide and colourful murals, its creative layout – with dedicated spaces for both quiet, individual work as well as collaboration – lends itself perfectly for coworking.

The location features open spaces, comfy seating areas, private suites and offices as well as theatre-style training and event spaces.

“The space speaks to so many different uses and so many different people,” Cochrane says. “Not everyone is looking for that cookie-cutter corporate image, and this space is far from it.”

Tenants also have access to a 10-gigabit dedicated fibre network which includes state of the art Cisco Security and can choose to include meeting or event space access in their agreement – saving them money in the long run by not paying the full overhead costs for amenities that go unused for significant periods of the day.

All of the spaces at TCC’s Collaboration Centre have independent air circulation and controls for each room and feature modern HVAC systems and controls, helping to alleviate health and safety concerns about working in an enclosed office.

Rethinking the office

With so many companies rethinking their traditional real estate footprint, Ransome Drcar – vice-president of real estate services firm JLL Ottawa – says coworking can be a great solution for companies looking for ways of bringing employees back together post pandemic.

Working from a serviced office offers business owners unparalleled flexibility to take additional space or downsize as needed.

“The worst thing a company can do right now is decide what their new footprint is going to look like five years from now,” says Drcar. “Coworking spaces can provide a very valuable service for companies looking to figure out what our new normal is going to look like.”

The former Shopify space also gives employers a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining employees who are increasingly looking to work in space that facilitates creativity and collaboration, he adds.

“The changing demographics are really going to favor that type of environment over time,” Drcar says. “And TCC Canada’s new location is really going to incorporate those elements of creativity and flexibility all in one.