A Cincinnati startup that’s looking to expand its footprint in the electric vehicle charging space has doubled down on its Over-the-Rhine office with the signing of a new lease.
Electrada, a developer, owner and operator of EV charging infrastructure, is currently subleasing the sixth floor of the Strietmann Center. With the sublease of the space – formerly used by Saatchi – coming up in March 2024, Electrada has signed a new, five-year lease that will kick in after its sublease ends.
“We really wanted a space that felt unique and like Electrada’s home,” Chief Operating Officer Irina Filippova told the Business Courier. “And we’ve accomplished that.”
To see inside Electrada’s office in the Strietmann Center, flip through the photos above.
Electrada worked with John Schenk, associate at CBRE, to secure its new lease. Electrada CEO Kevin Kushman said Schenk was able to listen to Electrada’s desire for a space that was Class A office but didn’t feel like the typical tower. The Strietmann Center, the renovation of the former Strietmann Biscuit Co. Building, fit the bill, with the nearly 8,000-square foot space being the ideal size for the growing startup.
Once Electrada saw the Strietmann space, they decided the spot was right for them.
“Having everything ready to occupy was huge,” Kushman said.
Electrada has 27 full-time employees, Filippova said, though some are remote. Its office has an open floor plan with several different rooms for its employee teams, including engineering, technology, finance and human resources. Kushman said that as a startup, having an open floor plan that allows for easy collaboration has worked really well.
The office also has a few phone rooms and conference rooms equipped with video conference technology, along with booth and high-top seating across the office and break room spaces. The sixth floor has roof deck access, which Electrada used for team happy hours in the summertime.
The startup turned both internally and externally when it came to decorating the space. Former intern and now-employee Andrew Bach designed custom artwork that emphasizes Electrada’s logo, which can be found hanging around the office. Electrada also partnered with Patsy Ford of Nature Works to curate and bring plants throughout the office, complimenting the abundant natural light.
The Over-the-Rhine location has been a game changer for Electrada’s employees. Operations Manager Anecia Johnson said the company's previous Fourth Street office didn’t provide staff with many food options. At Strietmann Center, the proximity to food, bars and other entertainment options in Over-the-Rhine has been an exciting change for employees, she said.
Electrada focuses on turnkey delivery and management of EV charging solutions. Some of its local partners include HILLS Properties, the Cincinnati Art Museum and Findlay Market.
As Electrada continues to grow its footprint in the EV space – it received $22 million in additional funds from famed investment group BlackRock this year – the office is ready to house that growth, Kushman said. Growth will be organic based on customer and industry demands, but the locally headquartered firm is eyeing adding more Cincinnati talent to its team this year.
