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Columbian

In October, Gregg Hammann walked into the cavernous building on Southwest 164th Avenue, took a look around the former Consolidated Freightways headquarters and thought "no way."

This 1970s era structure, at 500,000 square feet, was too old, too dark, too big and definitely didn't fit the image of Nautilus Inc. Hammann, president and CEO, of the Vancouver-based manufacturer of fitness equipment, wanted a more modern looking facility to reflect the company's growing presence in an industry where image is crucial.

"A big no," Hammann said to himself after the tour.

Vancouver mayor Royce Pollard convinced Hammann to give the building a second chance. PacTrust, an Oregon real estate investment company that owns the building and surrounding Columbia Tech Center in a joint venture partnership, came prepared for the second tour with a team of architects that focused on the building's potential.

Hammann's no became yes and his vision for Nautilus' world headquarters are on display this weekend as the public is invited Saturday to tour the company's new facility, which includes athletic fields Hammann stresses are for the community to use.

More importantly it cements Nautilus' ties to Vancouver and adds stability to the region's economic foundation. Nautilus signed a 10- year lease on the building, paying $1.9 million annually. The company has the option within the first seven years to buy the structure for $22.5 million. The remodel cost $15 million.

Nautilus generated $523.8 million in sales in 2004 and, behind Hammann's leadership, has increased its presence in the industry by getting its ever-expanding line of products into more stores and commercial outlets like athletic clubs.

In June, Nautilus entered the apparel market when it bought Colorado-based PEARL iZUMI for $68 million. Nautilus expects to spend less than $30 million by the end of this year or early 2006 to buy a nutrition company.

Complete fitness portfolio

The move will complete Nautilus' strategy to answer consumers' need for fitness education, equipment, clothing and nutrition, Hammann said.

All these moves now take place under the updated roof of the company's new main office at 16400 S.E. Nautilus Drive, which is about two miles from the old headquarters.

The oval design that fronts 164th Avenue and bears the company logo gives visitors the first sign that the former CF building has undergone a dramatic face lift.

Peter Bechen, PacTrust president, said Nautilus' office gives the Columbia Tech Center a much needed public face.

"It's nice to have some vitality at the entrance," Bechen said.

The building, which sat empty for almost two years, gave the false impression that little was happening in the 402-acre office and retail complex. That is hardly the case.

Home Depot opened in late 2004 and a Wal-Mart is expected to open in early 2006. Riverview Community Bank is building an operations center and branch office on two separate pieces of land.

Kohl's, a Wisconsin-based department, store is making its initial foray into Clark County with a store in the complex.

Nautilus' presence will bring its 525 employees to an already bustling corridor. The space looks dramatically different from what the staff saw in December when they visited for a holiday lunch.

The renovations took the endless field of office cubicles that gave Hammann a sick feeling in his stomach and repositioned the space to give employees more work space and increased natural light. A 125-yard-long atrium is being used to display the company's history with artwork and story boards.

A 35,000-square-foot employee athletic center has been built in the basement. A daycare center is coming. And what was an asphalt sea of parking lots is now the company's backyard, complete with a football-soccer field, softball diamond, basketball court and track that sits below Hammann's corner office.

Hammann said the new space will feel complete when a kid playing baseball hits a foul ball that hits his office window.

If you go

Nautilus Backyard Fitness Fun Day

What: Nautilus Inc., the Vancouver manufacturer of fitness equipment invites the public to view its new headquarters during a day of activities that include a 5k run and walk, raffles, games, celebrity appearances and barbecue. Proceeds benefit the Police Activities League and Clark County Youth Football.

When: Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: $25 for run or walk, free for other activities.

Where: 16400 S.E. Nautilus Drive, Vancouver.