For the last four years, ppB has worked out of 712 Innovations, a coworking space located in downtown Topeka, Kansas. Being situated in the heart of the Capital City was a critical component to our business model. Having several of our valued clients within walking distance has allowed us to provide exceptional customer service. Furthermore, the proximity to regulatory agencies has provided us with the opportunity to streamline interactions and deliverables on behalf of the regulated community … and being a short stroll away from Iron Rail, The Pennant and Juli’s Coffee and Bistro was just another perk.
From the administrative support of Aaron Neely to a professional atmosphere for hosting clients, the services offered by 712 Innovations served as a catalyst our small business needed to get up and running. Along the way, we met some like-minded business owners, industry leaders, and colleagues that provided us with an abundance of advice and resources. As we cleared off our desks, we felt nostalgic but proud of ppB’s growth and accomplishments. Rest assured, being downtown is still just as important as it was when we started. Our new office is located a block away, at 112 SW 6th Avenue in the Columbian Building.
Why the Columbian Building?
Well not only is it downtown, but it has the character and historic charm we were looking for. The Columbian Building (formerly the “Knox Building”) is a Romanesque Revival style building designed by Seymour Davis for the William Knox Bank. In 1888, the Knox Building Company advertised the building as “the finest and most substantial office building in the State” with amenities that included: steam heat, fireproofing, elevator service, a cutler mailing system, and seventeen fireproof vaults. Over the last century, the building has been the home to some of the most prominent business leaders, attorneys and political organizations including the Anti-Saloon League.
Today the Columbian Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The same first-class amenities the building boasted in the 1800s, inspired ppB to make the Columbian Building our new home. From the moment you enter, the historic vibe is evident … the chandeliers, stone walls and rich woods are breathtaking and timeless treasures. The manual elevator is operational from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. An attendant opens and closes the elevator doors, greets guests and will guide you to the ppB suite on the second floor. Our office has 15-foot vaulted ceilings and a south-facing 12-foot window that allows natural light to enter throughout the day. Finally, it is the two-story concrete-walled vault that makes our space truly unique. We adopted it as our field gear storage area; however, it can also serve as one heck of a storm shelter and an interesting topic of conversation. It’s easy to see ppB’s attraction to the historic space, but perhaps the biggest selling point was the opportunity for future growth and expansion into the building.
Office moves are never fun, but it is a thrilling time for our growing business, and it gives a fresh drive to the usual office life. Our approach is to create a workspace that inspires collaboration and a happy, well-functioning unit. It has been an exciting journey for ppB, and we look at this new location as the start of another chapter in our story. We’re still getting settled in, but we’re delighted to be in the Columbian Building. If you are in the neighborhood, we invite you to come by and check out the new office.
Our growth and expansion wouldn’t have been possible without the trust and support of our valued clients and partners. We look forward to continuing to provide excellent service from our new space.
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