• Previous
• Next

More Galleries

• The Lunch Room does vegan food in a way that even non-vegans can enjoy
• Images from Dawn Farm's 40th Anniversary Jamboree
• See photos from Kerrytown BookFest
• Images from Michigan's 41-30 win over Notre Dame under the lights

Enlarge

Barracuda Networks installed large windows on both floors of the building to bring daylight into the east side of the building. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Buy AnnArbor.com Photo Prints

• Barracuda Networks installed large windows on both floors of the building to bring daylight into the east side of the building. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_05_fullsize.JPG
• New windows have been added to the building at Barracuda Networks. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_04_fullsize.JPG
• A worker touches up a stair in front of a large projection screen in the multipurpose room at Barracuda Networks. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_02_fullsize.JPG
• Each meeting room at Barracuda Networks is named after one of the Great Lakes with a decal fixed in the cement at the doorway. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_03_fullsize.JPG
• Barracuda Networks opened up the main stairwell of the building, discarding old drywall for exposed brick and painting the staircase "Barracuda blue." Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_01_fullsize.JPG
• Barracuda Networks employees work in their new offices in downtown Ann Arbor. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_11_fullsize.JPG
• The server room is still being set up at the new Barracuda Networks in downtown Ann Arbor on Thursday. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_10_fullsize.JPG
• Barracuda Networks software engineer Kyle Hendricks takes a break from his work to play a video game in the new offices in downtown Ann Arbor on Thursday. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_09_fullsize.JPG
• Northern Vending employee Charlie Gregory sorts pieces as he installs a coffee maker in a kitchen area in the new Barracuda Networks in downtown Ann Arbor on Thursday. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_08_fullsize.JPG
• Large open areas are an asset to the new work space for Barracuda Networks. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_07_fullsize.JPG
• Barracuda Networks employees have begun moving into the new space in downtown Ann Arbor. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/01 Barracuda/cache/111512_BIZ_Barracuda_MRM_06_fullsize.JPG

Barracuda Networks’ headquarters might be in California, but the company’s strategic focus is right here in Ann Arbor.

And with new offices on Maynard Street in downtown, Barracuda is poised to expand its local workforce while investing in the community.

“This is a really attractive center to grab the best talent in the area,” said Sean Heiney, Barracuda’s vice president of strategic initiatives.

Blair Hankins, Barracuda’s vice president of engineering, added: “We’re excited to be able to hire like we want to. We were too packed at our other location.”

Barracuda, a network security firm whose products protect clients from threats over email, web and IM, signed a lease in June to move its offices from a 12,000-square-foot space on Depot Street to 45,000 square feet on Maynard Street. The new, three-story office is attached to the former Borders bookstore and partly underneath the public parking garage on Maynard.

The company’s 200 Ann Arbor employees have started moving offices, and the plan is to have everyone moved to Maynard by next week, Hankins said.

A workstation at Barracuda Networks' new offices in Ann Arbor.

Photo by Stevie Blyler

In the five months since Barracuda signed the lease, the new office has been completely transformed. Windows have been installed on the exterior of the building and old carpet and drywall was torn out, leaving exposed brick columns and concrete floors.

“What we do is build things,” said Guy Suter, Barracuda’s general manager. “We wanted to urbanize this space and promote creativity.”

The space is still a work in progress, Suter said, and he’s planning to meet with a graffiti artist this weekend to draw art on the white cinder block walls in the office. He said Barracuda intends to build out the space over time.

The basement level will have a lounge and recreation area for employees, with a pinball machine, pool table, video games and a kegerator. The goal is to give employees a place to unwind and hang out when they’re not working. The company also participates in several rec leagues and out-of-office activities — such as attending University of Michigan football games.

Barracuda preferred the exposed brick and concrete over the drywall and carpet that was previously in the space.

Photo by Stevie Blyler

“When people like each other, they work better together,” Hankins explained.

The office has a large server room, video conference rooms, a “think tank” room with whiteboards, several lounge areas and a social media and video-shooting studio. There is wide-open office space, a few conference rooms and not a single private office, promoting collaboration amongst the employees.

“This space is energetic,” Suter said. “The energy that comes from being downtown and around everything going on will really translate to our work…it’s amplified.”

Suter said the company does provide breakfast foods and snacks, but they’re encouraging employees to go out for lunch to support downtown businesses. They’re also looking forward to the redevelopment of the former Borders retail space along East Liberty Street.

Barracuda gives cash incentives to employees who take the bus, walk and bike to work, but they're also providing parking spaces in Ann Arbor’s new underground parking garage.

Hankins said the company had to slow its hiring at the other space because there simply was no room. With the expanded office, he said three new employees plan to start Monday and the company is actively seeking additional hires in various departments. (Apply here)

Heiney said 300 to 400 employees could eventually be working out of the Maynard office, which he calls “way cooler” than California.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.