Who says you can't win 'em all? The creative economy seems to have its own rules. Case in point: the new offices of the VIA Group advertising and marketing agency in the historic Baxter Library building. In one decisive gesture, VIA and Portland have scored a triple win. #1: VIA's business is expanding into all things digital and they have chosen to relocate, not to New York or Boston, not to South Portland or Westbrook, but from the periphery to the heart of the Downtown Arts District on Congress Street. #2: the new location will also give VIA, and their contribution to the creative economy, a much higher profile in Portland—and Portland's creative economy, in turn, will gain increased national visibility through VIA's growth. And #3: the renovation of the Baxter Building itself is an urban preservationist dream—and green to boot. VIA describes how everything has come together in a web site they made about the building: "Northland Enterprises, LLC, of Portland, Maine, acquired the Baxter Library Building from MECA in 2008, and is overseeing the complete renovation of the building. The project is a Historic Renovation project that is approved and monitored by the National Park Service. It is one of the first commercial uses of the new Maine State Historic Tax Credit, which has been instrumental in moving the project forward. The almost 25,000-square-foot building will be energy efficient and apply for LEED silver certification when the work is done." There's a lot more to growing a successful business than architecture, of course, but when public policy can help match a unique work space with a unique company in a unique city, it's a win-win-win for everyone.

Tags: advertising, architecture, design, education, Media, neighborhoods, people to watch, video, work in portland, workspace, writing