The Bellingham Business Journal

Logos Bible Software will be expanding later this year into the seven-story, triangular-shaped building known as the “Flatiron Building,” at 1313 Bay St.

Principle partners of the company purchased the building April 1 for $3.7 million, according to the Whatcom County Treasurer’s Office. The 101-year-old building has been occupied by CH2M Hill and its predecessor VECO  since a 1990 remodel. Logos plans to expand into the building in September, immediately after CH2M Hill moves into the Bellwether Gate building on Squalicum Harbor.

The engineering firm’s upcoming move to the new waterfront offices threatened to leave a 43,000-square-foot vacancy at the gateway to Bellingham’s emerging Arts District. In response, the building owners approached Logos Bible Software to work out a multi-party purchase and lease deal that keeps this historic building occupied while ensuring Logos has room to grow in downtown Bellingham.

“Logos grew more than 25 percent last year, and we’re looking forward to faster growth in 2010,” said Bob Pritchett, CEO of Logos, in a statement. “This iconic building, with its 360-degree views of Bellingham Bay and the city, not only provides the space we need, it offers our employees some fantastic offices, and helps us remain an employer of choice.”

Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike and a team of city staff participated in discussions about the building transition, helping ensure continued occupancy of this historic landmark.

“Logos Bible Software is one of Bellingham’s largest employers and a very important downtown tenant. Their commitment to remaining downtown and expanding into this building provides tremendous community and economic benefits,” said Mayor Dan Pike in a press release.

Remodeling plans include updating office spaces and reconfiguring some workspaces into employee amenities. Logos is also hoping to find a tenant that can return a portion of the ground floor to its historic use as retail space. Retail use would contribute to the revitalization of this block of Bay Street, already home to the American Museum of Radio and Electricity and the new Pickford Film Center, and the gateway to the Arts District.

Logos Bible Software, a privately held corporation located in Bellingham, Wash., is a publisher of high-end, award-winning, multilingual Bible software. The company serves church, academic and lay markets, bringing the best in software innovation to Christians worldwide. Logos can be found on the web here.