The Port's Downtown office melds murals, indoor terrace, ballpark views

The Enquirer's Going In series takes readers inside the new restaurants, offices and stores featuring unique interior architecture.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, a quasi-governmental public agency, has moved into a new 12,000-square-foot office space in Downtown Cincinnati's Atrium Two office tower. The new office features an open concept design with executive offices along the back wall, allowing employees in cubicles access to Downtown views and natural light. The space also includes an "artifact gallery" showcasing items from the Port's past projects, as well as various meeting spaces and collaborative areas to encourage social interaction among employees.

Why it matters

The Port plays a key role in revitalizing Cincinnati's neglected buildings and architecture, and its new office space reflects the organization's mission and values. The design of the space, which prioritizes collaboration, natural light, and a welcoming atmosphere, is a departure from traditional office layouts and signals a shift in post-pandemic workplace trends.

The details

The Port's new office space features an open concept design with all executive offices placed along the back wall, allowing employees in cubicles access to Downtown views and natural light. The space also includes an "artifact gallery" showcasing items from the Port's past projects, as well as various meeting spaces and collaborative areas, including phone booths, team huddle rooms, and three larger conference rooms. Low-lying tables and chairs with textured fabric are scattered throughout the office to encourage collaboration and a more relaxed, library-like atmosphere.

  • The Port has been located in a cramped office off of Fourth and Vine streets for the last decade.
  • The Port's new 12,000-square-foot office space is on the second floor of Downtown's Atrium Two office tower.

The players

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority

A quasi-governmental public agency that works with the state, the city, and local developers to revitalize Cincinnati's neglected buildings and architecture.

Laura Brunner

The president and CEO of The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority.

GBBN

The architecture firm that designed The Port's new office space.

Mandy Woltjer

The associate principal at GBBN who worked on the design of The Port's new office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everybody's an ambassador of the company. That's also why we made the work cafe the first thing you see when you come in. It makes me so happy to actually watch people conversing and enjoying themselves. It's why we're here at an office instead of at home.”

— Laura Brunner, President and CEO, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority

“We really wanted to bring more social energy back to this group and create these spontaneous moments where people are connecting over coffee, food or their work. That also meant making more cozy spaces for folks to focus, get away from their desk and be comfortable.”

— Mandy Woltjer, Associate Principal, GBBN

What’s next

The Port's new office space is now fully operational, and the organization is expected to continue its work revitalizing Cincinnati's neglected buildings and architecture from its new, more collaborative and welcoming workspace.

The takeaway

The Port's new office design reflects a shift in post-pandemic workplace trends, prioritizing collaboration, natural light, and a welcoming atmosphere over traditional office layouts. This shift signals the organization's commitment to fostering a dynamic and engaging work environment as it continues its mission of revitalizing Cincinnati's built environment.