Dec. 10, 2025
This piece is sponsored by Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.
An office dedicated to serving older adults might not be one you’d expect on the seventh floor of a multiuse downtown office building.
But that’s exactly why AARP South Dakota chose to move there earlier this year after more than two decades in south Sioux Falls.
“We did it to upset the narrative,” state director Erik Gaikowski said.
“The reality is all our events are downtown. I think one thing people don’t understand is boomers and millennials have a lot in common when it comes to where they want to be. They all want to be connected to their community, and all big community events happen downtown.”
AARP is highly involved nationally and locally in supporting public space design, investing in greater walkability, mixed-use development and strengthening the city’s core.
“So from my perspective, for our office we want to walk the walk instead of talk the talk,” Gaikowski said. “Downtown is really walkable. We could do more to make it even safer for pedestrians, but that’s where we want to put our investment.”
The organization’s decision to locate downtown is part of a broader trend.
“We’re seeing strong alignment between national trends and what’s happening here locally,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.
“Our partners at AARP have been clear that both millennials and boomers are increasingly seeking a full-service ecosystem for their livability needs. It’s becoming more and more common for people to choose a downtown lifestyle so they can live, work and play in one place. Downtown offers convenience, connection and amenities that support a higher quality of life for all ages.”
Since the move, the eight-person team at AARP “loves it,” Gaikowski said. “There’s so much within a block or two: coffee shops, eating establishments, shops and soon Pomegranate Market. You can pop out for a break, and you feel safe walking around. One of my staff watched Winter Wonderland from the office and said it was just phenomenal.”
Volunteers also regularly come to the office, “and they think it’s awesome we’re here,” he continued. “It’s new and exciting and different. They’re proud it feels like we’ve arrived in the city.”
For The Bancorp, a move to a new flagship downtown Sioux Falls office was years in the making.
After being located on the city’s south side for more than 20 years, “our decision to move to downtown Sioux Falls was very intentional,” said Maria Wainwright, executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
“We wanted to create a work environment that reflected the evolution of The Bancorp: a dynamic, collaborative company that values connection, creativity and innovation. Downtown Sioux Falls offered an opportunity to be part of a vibrant community where business, culture and collaboration come together.”
The move to the building at Cherapa Place that now bears its name, with an office designed for about 250 team members, also was “a strategic way to attract and retain talent who value accessibility, amenities and an energized environment,” Wainwright said, adding that the location change came at a time when the company hoped to bring workers back into the office after the pandemic.
“We knew that if we wanted people to come in, it needed to be because they wanted to — not because they had to. The new space supports flexibility while offering a sense of place and purpose,” she continued.
“We’re seeing steady engagement in-office, especially on collaborative days, and the energy of the downtown setting makes being in person more appealing. Like many organizations, we continue to balance hybrid work preferences, but our downtown location has absolutely helped make that balance easier and more enjoyable.”
Being able to intentionally design a more modern space also has had a positive impact, Wainwright said.
“Our team members consistently share that they feel more connected, not just to each other but to the broader Sioux Falls community,” she said.
“The space itself was designed to encourage cross-functional collaboration and casual conversation with spaces like the employee cafe, huddle rooms and casual lounge meeting areas.”
A large staircase in the center of the space is an architectural design element and symbolizes the connection among team members.
“We’ve seen employees take real pride in the office and the environment around it,” Wainwright said. “It’s helped energize the culture and reinforce our commitment to investing in our people and the communities where we live and work.”
AARP and The Bancorp’s experiences are indicative of a broader movement in downtown Sioux Falls, Hanson said.
“We consistently hear that companies moving downtown understand the direct return on investment it generates — not just for their organization but for Sioux Falls as a whole,” he said.
“The city center is the commercial and cultural heart of any community, and that’s especially true here. Downtown is where public services, businesses, attractions and talent intersect. Locating in the core puts companies at the center of energy, activity and economic growth, which helps them recruit and retain employees while also supporting local retail, hospitality and neighborhood vitality.”
When Midco moved its corporate headquarters downtown last year, it represented a continuation of a 94-year history in downtown Sioux Falls.
“It was a homecoming of sorts when we moved our corporate headquarters to the Lumber Exchange building and reconnected with our downtown roots,” said Paige Pearson Meyer, vice president of corporate communications. “In addition to downtown’s rich history, there is a vibrancy and energy that shape the workplace culture of headquarters. Downtown Sioux Falls will always be an important part of Midco’s story.”
Midco’s team members “have loved the new location,” she added. “The beautiful views from the conference rooms, access to amenities and convenient parking are appreciated by the team. Our space lends itself to inspiration and collaboration, and team members enjoy getting outside and walking along the river or having coffee or lunch at one of their favorite downtown spots.”
Giving back
When businesses locate their offices downtown, they also tend to support the broader downtown community, Hanson said.
“Not only are these team members consistently patronizing downtown restaurants and retailers — they’re also volunteering throughout downtown, and our businesses are supporting downtown philanthropically,” he said.
At The Bancorp, “we’ve always believed that being part of a community means giving back to it, and being downtown allows us to stay connected and hands-on,” Wainwright said.
While The Bancorp supports community efforts across the Sioux Falls area, it has major partnerships downtown such as sponsoring the Washington Pavilion and serving as the presenting sponsor for Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.’s Riverfest, which draws almost 14,000 visitors and generates more than a half-million dollars in local economic impact.
Additionally, the company has pledged $1 million toward watershed conservation across its major office locations, which supports organizations like Friends of the Big Sioux River.
“We’re proud that our downtown presence allows us to stay connected to the community, support important local initiatives and invest in the people and organizations driving Sioux Falls forward,” Wainwright said.
At Midco, “we strongly believe that being a good neighbor means getting involved and positively contributing to the culture of downtown,” Meyer said.
The company proudly financially supports Levitt at the Falls, EmBe, the State Theatre and Forward Sioux Falls, she said. In addition, team members serve on boards for DTSF, EmBe, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Pavilion.
AARP also is highly engaged downtown, sponsoring multiple concerts at Levitt at the Falls, hosting monthly movies at the State Theatre and doing on-tap trivia at Remedy Brewing Co.
“We’re doing things all year-round, so it only makes sense our office should be where the people want to be,” Gaikowski said.
Ready to relocate?
Is your business considering your next office in downtown Sioux Falls?
“There are absolutely opportunities for businesses looking for office space,” Hanson said.
“We manage a dedicated resource for this at dtsf.com/commercial-real-estate-listings, and with several new developments coming online soon, options will continue to expand. We’re always happy to make connections for any organization exploring a move or expansion.”
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