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19 IDEAS becomes first corporation to move to Essex Arts Center in newly converted office space

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Wed, Jan 7th 2015 03:10 pm

Marketing agency doubled in size since August; has additional hiring plans for first quarter 2015

Local marketing and communications firm 19 IDEAS announced the company's relocation to 32C Essex St., an office that is part of the Essex Arts Center located in the heart of Buffalo's West Side. The move marks the first corporation to move into the once residential loft apartment complex owned by the Griffis family.

The newly converted and renovated 3,000-square-foot office space accommodates 19 IDEAS' growth phase within a more historic, comfortable work environment that fosters the company's creative nature. Since August, the agency has doubled in staff size, from four full-time employees to now eight full-time employees, with the intent to hire an additional three to four positions in the first quarter of 2015.

"This is a very exciting time for 19 IDEAS, first with the expansion of our staff, and now the expansion into such beautiful new office space," said 19 IDEAS President Katie Krawczyk. "As a creative agency, we are so pleased to be among other artists and in a space that offers so much historical significance to the artistic community in Buffalo. Coupled with the historical significance and now rebirth of the West Side, we couldn't think of a better place than to be as we continue to grow our agency. We look forward to many good years here on Essex Street."

Nila Griffis, executive director of the Ashford Hollow Foundation, said, "When we began the renovation of the 32C, it was large endeavor, including the removal of walls, refurbishing original hard wood flooring and installation of custom pieces designed and created on site by Tyler Griffis and Jon Spielman. From the beginning of the renovation, we had envisioned a partnership with a creative Buffalo-based business to highlight our mission to promote the performing and visual arts. When our relator, Maggie Hamilton of CBRE, came to us with interest from 19 IDEAS, we couldn't have been more enthusiastic about the possibility of a future partnership. We are thrilled to begin 2015 with a strong and long-lasting relationship with Katie and 19 IDEAS!"

Hamilton of CBRE|Buffalo represented the Ashford Hollow Foundation for the lease of this space. Hamilton recently established CBRE's nonprofit practice group in the Western New York market.

"Leasing this particular location for Ashford Hollow as market rate office space was a great strategy to monetize their greatest asset to better support their mission," Hamilton said.

The Essex Arts Center has been the central hub of creativity for the foundation - the home and starting place for several galleries and artists, including Hallwalls, Big Orbit and CEPA Gallery, and artists including Cindy Sherman, Charles Clough and Robert Longo. Founded by Larry W. Griffis Jr. in 1969, the center was the first of its kind in Buffalo. The facility was once an icehouse, dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

19 IDEAS is a New York state-certified woman-owned business enterprise and one of only a few local full-service agencies that seamlessly combines design, development and communications for clients. Visit its website for more information.

The Ashford Hollow Foundation, formed in 1966, owns and operates both Griffis Sculpture Park and The Essex Arts Center. The vision for The Ashford Hollow Foundation was formed by Griffis Jr. after visiting Italy, specifically Hadrian's Villa and viewing his family interact with art and nature on a level not found within the confines of a typical museum. He would begin Griffis Sculpture Park with his sculptures created at The Essex Arts Center. Griffis Sculpture Park is now the home to more than 250 sculptures from local and international sculptors on 450 acres of land in East Otto.

The Essex Arts Center is the home to several artists' studios as well as The Simon Griffis Studio for Youth where we arts in education programming takes place with partners ranging from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo to the Buffalo Science Museum.

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