SpareFoot, the world’s largest marketplace for storage, has kicked off its 10th year in business with a move to a new headquarters space in Austin, TX. Founded in 2008, the company offers consumers the ability to compare self-storage, truck rental, and moving services, with the aim of streamlining the search and decision-making process. Completing the move in January 2018, SpareFoot now occupies space in University Park, a Class A office and retail property just north of downtown Austin.
“The new headquarters building reflects the company culture of collaboration, creativity, and collegiality as all 100 SpareFoot employees are now located on one floor,” said co-founder and CEO, Chuck Gordon. “We’ve come a long way from our first offices inside Capital Factory [co-working space in Austin], to the Perry Brooks Tower across the street at 720 Brazos, and now to our current space.”
University Park includes numerous features conducive to the company culture, including an on-site gym and yoga room; free covered parking and indoor bike storage; and a dog-friendly policy. That last amenity was “an absolute must” for SpareFoot employees’ “SparePups” that come to the office with their owners.
The new SpareFoot office features an open layout with views of downtown Austin and the University of Texas; a fully-outfitted on-site kitchen with in-house chef and culinary team; and gaming area. The layout includes multiple lounge areas for casual check-ins and co-working, as well as meeting rooms and a large event space.
The company strives to create an employee-friendly and community-involved workplace, reflected by its policies and activities. SpareFoot was one of just 3% of Austin companies designated as a Silver-Level Mother-Friendly Worksite in 2017; the new office space features a Mother’s Room with comfortable space to pump milk, in-room fridge, and sink. And, in 2017, employees formed The Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and the Women of SpareFoot. The company also sent a large employee delegation to The Texas Conference for Women in 2016 and 2017 and was a sponsor of the Austin Pride Parade in 2017.
Employees at SpareFoot also regularly participate in volunteer and fundraising activities. In 2017, SpareFoot employees ran a Street Store for the homeless, raised money for the Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive!, worked to beautify local parks, and gave time to Dress for Success.
SpareFoot was named to the Top Company Cultures list in 2017 by Entrepreneur Magazine and has been named a Top Employer by the Austin American-Statesman since 2013.
Commenting on the new office, David Campuzano, client success manager for SpareFoot, said, “We now have a facility that is as next-level as our talented team members and vision for the future. Having all employees on the same floor will save time and contribute to even more collaboration while getting closer as peers.”
And marketing content coordinator, Christine Walsh, shared, “I love going into the new office every day. Not only do I interact with other departments more frequently, but I also benefit creatively from being in a visually appealing environment.”
