What Cities Can Learn From Companies Migrating to Downtown

The Core Values: Why American Companies are Moving Downtown report, released on June 18, 2015, provides in-depth analysis of a powerful trend of companies investing in urban downtowns.

1 minute read

June 19, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle skyline

dherrera_96 / Flickr

"Hundreds of companies across the United States are moving to and investing in walkable downtown locations," according to a post on the Smart Growth America website announcing the releases of the Core Values: Why American Companies are Moving Downtown [pdf]. 

The report addresses questions like: "Why are companies choosing these places? What are the competitive advantages they see in these locations? And what features do they look for when choosing a new location?"

To generate the report, Smart Growth America examines nearly 500 companies that moved to cities between 2010 and 2015. Three findings emerge from the trend: 1) an "enormous diversity" of businesses are moving to downtowns, 2) relocations have taken multiple forms (e.g., relocations, expansions, consolidations, etc.), and 3) new locations are "dramatically more walkable." 

A key takeaway from the report: that cities can learn from the decision making process of companies as they choose to locate in more urban areas and create places that set the stage for even more economic development in downtown locations.

Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Smart Growth America

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

The outside of a brightline transit hub with many windows on a sunny day.

Brightline Florida files for bankruptcy

The transit company is over $5 billion in debt.

September 26 - Financial Times

A blue Metrolink train with two cars drives toward the camera.

St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction

The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.

September 25 - Mass Transit

An abandoned mine in Pennsylvania. The ceiling is low, the walls and floors are gray, and mine cart tracks run along the bottom.

Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines

Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.

September 25 - Inside Climate News

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design