Evergreen Advisors has signed a 10-year lease with the Howard Hughes Corporation for office space in Downtown Columbia, reversing plans to move their headquarters to Baltimore.
Evergreen initially announced plans to move from their headquarters in Columbia to Baltimore’s Port Covington – once branded as “Cyber Town USA” – in 2018.
The investment bank and corporate advisory will now take over approximately 11,000 square feet on the top floor of 30 Corporate Center in Central District’s Corporate Row, Howard Hughes announced at a press conference today.
The 12-story building is one of seven office buildings in Corporate Row.
“I think it’s just a great place to be,” said Rick Kohr, founder and CEO of Evergreen Advisors, at the press conference.
“It’s become one of the best places in the country to build and operate a business,” he said, “It’s comprised of a diverse and talented group of people in the region.”
They decided to stay in the area in part because of the newly-available amenities, Kohr said, which makes it easier to recruit and retain talent.
“You look around and you’ve got great restaurants, entertainment, it’s walkable, some great amenities,” he said.
“I don’t think Columbia is an afterthought these days. I think there’s an epicenter here that’s going on with the growth and the ecosystem,” Kohr added.
Columbia was recently ranked first on a list of best places to find a job because of its ample job opportunities and potential for economic growth.
Last year, Howard Hughes announced that five new businesses will be relocating their offices to Downtown Columbia.
Howard Hughes has invested over a billion dollars into Downtown Columbia, said Greg Fitchitt, president, Columbia, of Howard Hughes, at the press conference.
The company will invest another $10 million to renovate Corporate Row, Fitchitt announced today.
The $10 million renovation will go towards creating connected pathways between the buildings and building fitness centers, bike storage, lockers and shower rooms, tenant lounges, and a golf simulator.
The renovation will begin this spring, Fitchitt said.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Thursday highlighted his administration’s efforts to turn Columbia into a technology and cybersecurity hub.
“We know that in 2018, Evergreen considered actually moving out of Howard County,” Ball said, “but while many other communities in our region are competing to have a name synonymous with ‘cyber,’ Columbia is now home to leaders and some of the biggest names in cybersecurity in our nation.”
“So it makes sense that Evergreen would find its true home for its headquarters right here in Downtown Columbia,” Ball said, “Because they are leaders and they are visionaries. And this is a place where leaders and visionaries can thrive.”
