The Trade Desk’s New Headquarters in Downtown Ventura

The Trade Desk’s New Headquarters in Downtown Ventura

The Trade Desk has exciting plans for a vacant building in downtown Ventura. The company wants to renovate a former bank building at the corner of Main and California streets. This will be their new headquarters. They are not closing their other offices in the area but want to create a central space for their employees.

Background on The Trade Desk’s Plans

In 2019, The Trade Desk bought the building for $4.5 million. They originally planned to make a large, multi-story office. However, over time, their vision changed. Now, they aim for a smaller headquarters. This new office will have a partial second floor and a roof deck, along with some landscaping. The basic shape of the building will stay the same.

What Will the New Headquarters Look Like?

The new office will house around 14 employees, including some top executives. Michael Prabhu, a consultant for The Trade Desk, mentioned that this will be a “central gathering space.” It will allow employees from other locations to come together.

Approval from the Planning Commission

The Ventura Planning Commission gave a thumbs-up to the renovation plans on December 17. They praised The Trade Desk for improving a long-empty building. The commissioners feel this project helps keep higher-paying jobs in downtown Ventura, which mostly has retail and restaurant jobs.

Community Reactions to the Project

“This design is much more attractive than the vacant building we’ve had there,” said Planning Commissioner Scott McCarty. He emphasized how much this improvement contributes to the area.

Another commissioner, David Comden, expressed hope that The Trade Desk’s new office could lead to a “civic center” at this key intersection.

Concerns Over Building Design

Even though the Planning Commission approved the plans, there are still some concerns. Stephen Schafer from the San Buenaventura Conservancy plans to appeal the decision. He wants The Trade Desk to add a main entrance that faces Main Street.

Access and Visibility Issues

Currently, the main entrance is at the back, facing a parking lot. There will be a door on Main Street, but it will look more like an exit and only open with a key card. Schafer pointed out that all other buildings on Main Street have doors that welcome the public.

“It’s really unusual for a project to turn its back on the public in our historic downtown,” Schafer stated. He believes having a front door is essential for a friendly, open atmosphere.

The Trade Desk’s Defense of Their Design

Representatives from The Trade Desk explained their choice for a back entrance. They mentioned it is for security reasons since the building won’t be open to the public. Adaeze Cadet, the project architect, said they do not want to mislead people into thinking they can walk in.

Planning Commission’s Vote Details

During the hearing, the Planning Commission had a split vote of 3-3 on requiring a Main Street entrance. They needed at least four votes to pass this motion, but one commissioner missed the meeting. Commissioner Jenny Lagerquist voiced her support for the Main Street entrance, noting that the commission usually does not like exceptions.

The Future of The Trade Desk’s Headquarters

The Trade Desk is aiming for a modern and secure office that also respects the character of downtown Ventura. With around 4,000 employees worldwide, their presence in the city is significant, even though they don’t share specific numbers for the Ventura offices.

• The new headquarters will enhance the downtown area.
• It will create a central hub for employees.
• Concerns about public access are being addressed.
• The project aims to blend modern design with historical context.

As the project moves forward, the community will be watching closely. It remains to be seen how the City Council will respond to the appeal and what changes, if any, will be made to the plans.