Bull Street lands first major tenant

The Columbia office of the Ogletree Deakins law firm will become the first major tenant to put down roots at Bull Street Common, the new name of the redeveloped campus of the old state mental hospital on Bull Street.

In April, the firm will occupy the top floor of the First Base Building, an office building that’s being built in concert with the 8,000-seat Spirit Communications Park, future home the Class A minor league baseball team the Columbia Fireflies.

The law firm’s managing shareholder, Katherine Dudley Helms, told The State the opportunity to participate in city’s growth, get in on Bull Street’s ground floor and enjoy the amenities of the adjacent ballpark all figured into the firm’s decision.

“It was the total package,” she said. “Both in term of the economics and the experience we will be able to have. You want an office you want to go to. Our whole team is looking forward to it.”

The redevelopment of the old state hospital’s 165-acre campus is considered the biggest land deal in Columbia history - one that could transform a downtown that is already in a state of incredible growth. The project is being built by Greenville developer Bob Hughes, considered the architect of that city’s downtown revival.

Hughes’ real estate brokers, Miami-based Lennar Commercial, is advertising a mixed use development that includes 403,500 square feet of retail space, 3,500 residential units, 140 hotel rooms and 1.3 million square feet of office space.

Hughes’ team has said up to 60 tenants are set to move into the development. But so far only one other tenant has been announced. SOCO, work-place sharing company now located in the Vista, has said it would move into the former asylum’s old bakery, which is located just outside the ballpark’s right field fence.

Ogletree Deakins represents employers in labor and employment lawsuits. The firm provides counsel throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico.

It will lease 12,000 square feet of the four-story First Base Building’s 85,000 square feet of office space. The building is being constructed along first base line of the $37 million ballpark.

The law firm is now housed in the Meridian Building on Main Street, where its lease is nearly up. It would have had to renovate the space while still operating to be able to grow, Helms said. “That wouldn’t have been a pleasant experience.”

Helms said the entire back of the office will overlook the ballpark through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. “I hope we can get some work done.”

Hughes said steel for the building should be going up soon, with the goal of completion before Opening Day of the 2016 minor league baseball season - April 14.

In addition to offices, the building has 25,000 square feet of retail space, enough to house two or more restaurants, Hughes said.

“It would be great for restaurants, a bank or a real estate office,” he said. “There’s patio seating on the concourse. Lots of glass. And the office guys have a roof-top deck.”

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Bull Street lands first major tenant."