Olson Moves to Historic Ford Center
Fast-Growing Creative Agency Consolidates Minneapolis Real Estate to One Dynamic Space
Today, Olson relocated into a space on the top five floors of Minneapolis’ Ford Center, bringing 350 employees previously in two offices together in one dramatic and functional space specifically crafted for the agency’s needs.
“It’s not often you get the opportunity to create your space from scratch,” says the agency’s CEO Kevin DiLorenzo. “With the help of our design and architect partners, we were able to create a space that better reflects who we’ve become. One that promotes connection, experience, collaboration, socializing and observation. It’s a place that encourages our employees and clients to see things differently and celebrate our creative workplace, heritage and culture.”
Olson was previously headquartered at Loring Corners, in a collection of vintage buildings adjacent to Loring Park. The agency’s loyalty-marketing division, known as Denali Marketing until it was acquired by Olson in 2010, was based in downtown’s Fifth Street Towers.
The previous two spaces totaled 82,000 square feet, and the 125,000-square-foot Ford Center space is a testament to the agency’s growth trajectory, which has been fueled by organic growth, new business wins and acquisitions. In addition to Denali, Olson acquired Chicago-based PR firm Dig Communications in late 2010, and it purchased Toronto-based MyThum, a mobile advertising agency, the following February. Olson now employs 420 people in total and boasts a blue-chip client list that includes the likes of Target, Best Buy, MillerCoors, General Mills, Wrigley and Northwestern Mutual, among others.
Olson’s new office space was designed by Gensler, constructed by RJM Construction and project management was provided by Nelson, Tietz & Hoye. The Ford Center, which dates to 1913, was once an assembly plant and showroom for the Ford Motor Company. The building, at 420 N. Fifth St., sits across the street from Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team and along the light rail transit line.
