San Diego – – September 24, 2026 -- Industrious, in partnership with GANMI, is adding roughly 27,000 square feet to its Core Columbia workplace at 401 W A St in downtown San Diego, doubling the footprint to approximately 54,000 square feet. Members will gain access to the expanded space starting June 2027.
Expansion targets rising demand from defense, AI and life sciences startups
GANMI and Industrious cite sustained high occupancy at the existing location as the driver for the expansion, particularly among startups and growing companies in defense, artificial intelligence, life sciences and medical devices — sectors where San Diego has built a strong innovation cluster. The expanded space will add 305 office seats and 50 access seats.
Location sits amid new downtown development and transit access
Core Columbia is near Little Italy, the Embarcadero and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, with more than 160 restaurants and 20 coffee shops within half a mile. Four new luxury high-rise multifamily buildings are set to deliver within a half-mile radius, and a Whole Foods is expected to open two blocks away. Santa Fe Depot is steps from the building, with a Discover bike station four blocks away and direct access to I-5 and Highways 163 and 94.
GANMI links expansion to $550 billion Japan-U.S. investment commitment
GANMI Founder Eric Gan said the firm expects increasing investment and business activity between Japan and San Diego, pointing to the $550 billion investment commitment between Japan and the United States. During a September trade mission to Japan that included San Diego's Mayor, a U.S. Congressman and 50 business leaders, Gan met with Japanese corporate leaders, investors and startup founders who expressed interest in expanding ties with San Diego in defense, AI, life sciences and medical devices.
MCWHK plans to deploy AI tools including Project Token at the property
MCWHK, GANMI's technology arm, plans to introduce AI technology, including a tool called Project Token, to Core Columbia tenants. Winston Gan, Chief Technology and Investment Officer of MCWHK, said the goal is to make advanced AI practical and accessible for workplace productivity and collaboration.
GANMI hosts first Japan Omatsuri festival at the property on September 24, 2026
The festival brings together building tenants, Industrious members, local businesses and members of the San Diego and Japanese communities, marking what GANMI describes as the start of a broader cultural and business events program at the site. Industrious operates under a partnership model rather than a traditional lease at Core Columbia, and also runs a separate location, Industrious UTC, at 4727 Executive Drive in San Diego. Globally, Industrious operates more than 250 flexible workspaces across 80-plus cities.