Centerforce purchases historic building in downtown Tacoma, relocating regional headquarters
Nonprofit will move from Lakewood to the Bone-Dry Shoe Company building at 2111 Pacific Ave. this fall
Centerforce will move from its Lakewood location to the Bone-Dry Shoe Company building at 2111 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma this fall.
Centerforce, a nonprofit providing employment support and community integration services across Pierce, south King, and Thurston counties, announced the purchase of a two-story building in downtown Tacoma that will serve as the new headquarters for its regional operations.
The organization is relocating from Lakewood, where it has leased space since 2022 in a building it originally built in 1998 and later sold to new owners. With its lease in Lakewood set to expire, Centerforce spent several months conducting a thorough search across greater Pierce County, weighing factors including room for future growth, parking for staff and visitors, access to public transportation and major arterials, and a centralized location that supports commute times for staff and clients.
The future location at 2111 Pacific Ave., known as the Bone-Dry Shoe Company building, is listed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. Built between 1917 and 1919, the building most recently housed an architectural firm for 25 years. It offers ample space for staff to work and meet with clients, abundant natural light, and design elements preserved from its original use as a shoe manufacturing company.
Centerforce will occupy 6,000 square feet on the second floor, with an additional 6,000 square feet available for lease to a future tenant. The nonprofit plans to renovate portions of the space and begin operations at the new location in late fall 2026.
Over the years, Centerforce has grown its team to 35 members. The move to downtown Tacoma positions the organization to accommodate that growth and expand its capacity to serve clients in the years ahead.
"We are excited to relocate the headquarters of our regional operations into downtown Tacoma," said Mark Mattke, executive director of Centerforce. “This site in the heart of the city will offer better access for our clients and expand connections to business partners.”
About Centerforce
Centerforce provides employment support and community integration services to 300 clients each year throughout the South Sound region, including Pierce, south King and Thurston counties.