Aldus Corp. Plans To Keep Seattle Address

Microsoft can keep its tranquil Eastside setting with its soccer fields and grassy knolls perfect for tossing around a Frisbee at lunch.

Aldus Corp. says its software engineers thrive in the more "artsy" environment of Pioneer Square.

The desire for an urban address with a city headquarters is the main reason Aldus has ruled out a move from its Pioneer Square location to Issaquah, a company spokeswoman said.

Last-minute lobbying by Mayor Norm Rice's office convinced Aldus officials they were wanted in the city, said Julie Humling, the executive in charge of site selection for Aldus.

Aldus, which develops software for desktop publishers, has been working for two years to find a new site to accommodate its 650 employees and room for expansion.

The decision to stay in Seattle is significant because most high-tech companies have followed their competitors, such as Redmond-based Microsoft Corp., to the Eastside.

A poll of employees showed a majority favored staying in Seattle rather than moving to the suburbs, Humling said.

"It would impact our culture if we moved to the Eastside," she said. Part of that culture is tied to the "artsy . . . feeling in Pioneer Square."

Humling said Aldus is considering three sites in or near Pioneer Square, including the King Street Station, Union Station and the AT&T Gateway tower. Aldus also hasn't ruled out staying in or expanding at its current location, 411 First Ave. S.

Eliminated from the list was Langley Associates' I-90 Corporate Center, near Interstate 90 in Issaquah. The developer recently said it has been contacted by major retailers interested in turning the project into a shopping center.

Aldus thinks an urban headquarters gives it an advantage over other area high-tech companies in recruiting. It attracts programmers interested in city life, rather than the suburban campus environment of Eastside companies.

"We worked hard with Aldus to make them know they are a great asset to Pioneer Square," said Bob Watt, Seattle's deputy mayor. "We think it sends a great signal to other companies that Seattle is a great place to run a business."

Although issues such as the safety of Aldus' workers in Pioneer Square were addressed, no specific promises were made to keep Aldus in the city, Watt said.

Humling said Aldus needs 300,000 square feet of space, slightly less than the size of Westlake Center.