The coolest office in Vancouver? A look inside HootSuite’s new home

Vancouver tech darling HootSuite has been growing like crazy. The private but profitable company, known for its social media dashboard, is adding 10 new employees every week (its headcount recently hit 300). Last time I visited HootSuite’s headquarters—previously in a gentrifying area east of downtown—they were annexing whatever nearby office space they could while knocking down walls. A move was inevitable.

The new office is being leased from the City of Vancouver, which recently became mindful of retaining head offices. It’s in Mount Pleasant, a hip little strip close to downtown. The neighbourhood suits the company, which makes a point of steering clear of the typical, sterile white-collar look—not unlike many other young tech firms.

That’s certainly the case with the new digs, inspired by the personal tastes of the company’s CEO, Ryan Holmes (pictured here with his dog Mika), a keep-it-casual kind of a guy who loves all things outdoors.