HootSuite unveils remarkable new “cabin-themed” headquarters in Vancouver

Vancouver social media company HootSuite has left its cramped, uncomfortable digs in Vancouver’s Gastown for something a little -OK a lot- more comfortable.

HootSuite, which was founded by Ryan Holmes in 2008, has paralleled the rise in use of social media tools such as Twitter by large businesses, and then some. The company has become the symbol of a Vancouver tech scene that is gaining an international profile.

The company, which now lists 79 of the Fortune 100 companies, including McDonalds, PepsiCO and FOX, as clients, now has 6.2 million users on six continents. Its users send more than 2.75 million messages through the dashboard each day, more than 1.2-billion since its launch.

Hootsuite’s new 33,000-squarefoot, two-story office building was formerly used by the Vancouver Police Department. The building is owned by the City of Vancouver, who felt it was best to help out the company rather than risk watching them leave.

Here’s a look at the new Hootsuite office.

HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes sits with his dog Mika. Many HootSuite employees bring their dogs to the office daily.

The new HootSuite office includes The Cabin, a nap room, complete with cots, blankets, dim lighting and calming images so Owls can relax after a long day or take a moment away from their screens for a quick power nap.

HootSuite has a strong health and wellness program - including a large yoga/flexing and stretch room. A variety of teachers will work with staff to run yoga sessions. — HootSuite has a strong health and wellness program – including a large yoga/flexing and stretch room. A variety of teachers will work with staff to run yoga sessions.

HootSuite provides its employees with baskets of fresh organic fruit several times a week, as well as craft beer and wine on taps in the kitchen available on Friday evenings.

Rather than closed off meeting rooms, several pup tents placed throughout the new HootSuite office act as alternative meeting spaces.

Since dogs are welcome at the office, HootSuite’s staff frequently get together at lunch to walk their dogs to a nearby park for play time.

Ping pong and foosball tables are two popular features of the lunch room in HootSuite’s new office.

The bright mural in the HootSuite new Mount Pleasant office was painted by local artist Chairman Ting, the same artist behind the mural at HootSuite’s old office in the Railtown district.

The various murals in the new HootSuite office represent aspects of the company culture and brand. This mural, painted by one of HootSuite’s husband and wife teams, Sandy and Steve Pell, represents both a love for the west coast surf scene, and the feathers of an owl.

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About The Author / Nick Waddell

Cantech Letter founder and editor Nick Waddell has lived in five Canadian provinces and is proud of his country's often overlooked contributions to the world of science and technology. Waddell takes a regular shift on the Canadian media circuit, making appearances on CTV, CBC and BNN, and contributing to publications such as Canadian Business and Business Insider.

Comment

Connor from HootSuite says:

April 4, 2013 at 5:17 pm

Thanks for sharing the story of our new nest! It is truly a remarkable space. While we now enjoy some nice amenities compared to the old nest, looks can certainly be deceiving. Throughout the company, we really prioritize keeping the entrepreneurial / DIY mindset which got us to where we’re at now.

Indeed we do have a yoga room, but rest assured, we’re hungrier than ever, and still that agile, bootstrapped, hustling startup. These attributes will always be deeply ingrained into our culture.

-Connor from HootSuite
Connor from HootSuite says:

April 4, 2013 at 5:23 pm

Thanks dropping by!

We’re loving the new nest. While we now enjoy some nice amenities compared to the old nest, looks can certainly be deceiving. Throughout the company, we really prioritize keeping the entrepreneurial / DIY mindset which got us to where we’re at now.

Indeed we do have a yoga room, but rest assured, we’re hungrier than ever, and still that agile, bootstrapped, hustling startup. These attributes will always be deeply ingrained into our culture.

-Connor from HootSuite