Longtime Omni Center tenant leaves, creating catalyst for remodel, new amenities

UPDATED — A vacancy has been the starting point for Buff Farrow to remodel the Omni Center, the executive office space he’s had for 35 years.

The Omni Center, which once was at the Canal Route and Second Street, is in three buildings at 111 S. Whittier by Towne East Square.

Farrow said UBS Financial Services had been a tenant in the middle building for 22 years. It had 10,000 of the center’s 50,000 square feet.

“We were never able to unite all the buildings together,” Farrow said.

When UBS moved out recently, he said he took it as an opportunity to provide new amenities to other tenants by turning the space into a 24-hour hearth room, with a fireplace and library.

“It’s kind of the catalyst for making everything happen on the campus.” Farrow said. “We’ve had to change our business model several times.”

As technology has advanced, Farrow said, “We’ve just kind of had to morph as we’ve gone along.”

Long before people were forced to work from home due to the coronavirus outbreak, Farrow said he designed his space for people who might otherwise work from home but still need a receptionist, which the Omni Center offers.

Farrow said it’s for people who “need to have somebody hold the fort down” when they’re away.

“So that people can pick up and leave at any time.”

Farrow said he’s done a lot of research into the science behind work and how it helps for people to be around nature, plants and art.

“We’re still trying to create that experience.”

He said he’s adding decks, a barbecue station, a putting green with a waterfall, a screened-in porch and seating areas with charging stations.

“People can wander throughout the campus.”

The Omni Center offers memberships or space for full-time tenants.

Farrow said there are multiple meeting rooms so “people can get by with less square footage on their office.”

When the new space debuts in May, Farrow said he’s also going to offer sleep pods, beer on tap and a continental breakfast.

“There’s all kinds of little features like that that make it a unique, distinctive space.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 2:33 PM.