“For decades, the Cupples Building complex was the major river/rail shipping center in the country, specifically helping America’s farmers ship their goods throughout the country,” says Steve Barr, CEO of Osborn & Barr. “As an agricultural agency based in St. Louis that is an extremely important and emotional connection for us, particularly given all of the clients we work with in Missouri. The building is on the National Historic Register, so our space will strongly feature that history as we transform it to be a creative destination that our clients will enjoy.”

Osborn & Barr, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, began its search for new space a year ago. Given the unique history and incredible architecture of the building, Cupples 9 provided the ideal solution for long-term growth and an engaging work environment for O&B employees.

Jay Holland, senior vice president & principal, and Piers Pritchard, senior associate, with Colliers Turley Martin Tucker represented Osborn & Barr in the transaction.

“We conducted a thorough search that included all the major office submarkets in the City and County,” says Holland. “At the end of the day, the dynamic growth in Downtown was a key factor in Osborn & Barr’s decision to relocate from Clayton.”

After considering numerous alternatives, Cupples 9 met all of O&B’s space criteria, From that point, building owner McGowan Walsh and Blue Urban were instrumental in making the transaction happen, working closely with the city of St. Louis.

St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay is pleased with the outcome.

"O&B is a great example of how businesses are taking ownership of their history, while helping foster the city's growth in a new era," says Slay. "O&B, Adamson and Blue Urban are enhancing both the downtown landscape and the City's economy with 200 new jobs and wonderfully renovated office space, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with them both."

Another part of the city’s attraction to the deal was the successful way in which Blue Urban put together a renovation that will add to the city’s residential and commercial appeal.

“The space is truly mixed use,” says Kevin McGowan, CEO of both Blue Urban and McGowan Walsh. “The first floor will feature a new restaurant and O&B will occupy the second and third floors. Additionally, another prominent advertising agency, Adamson, is leasing a portion of the fourth floor. Blue Urban will oversee development of the remaining floors into 54 residential lofts, with 28 perspective buyers already placing deposits down in preparation for the pre-sale. HBD Construction will be building out the spaces on all seven floors.”

Within the three floors that O&B and Adamson will occupy, the two agencies will represent more than 200 jobs and more than $25 million in annual gross income.

“Over the past 20 years, O&B has been successful by recognizing sound business opportunities and then acting rapidly on them,” says Joe Osborn, president of Osborn & Barr. “Downtown is one of those sound opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of that.”

Osborn & Barr is the largest agricultural- and rural-focused marketing communications agency in North America, concentrating on production agriculture, food, feed and rural lifestyle markets. Its staff provides brand management, strategic planning, event planning, creative services, public relations, media services, digital marketing and channel marketing. The 20-year-old agency has $126 million in capitalized annual billings divided among five United States and Canada offices located in St. Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Washington, DC, and Guelph, Ontario. Osborn & Barr can be contacted via phone at 1-888-235-4332 or 314-726-5511, or at www.osborn-barr.com.