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While many companies are looking to places like Uptown for modern office space, a Dallas telecommunications firm is betting on a historic part of the city center.

46 Labs LLC has moved into a 25,000-square-foot office in Dallas' historic West End district.

Located in Factory Six03, a former bread factory repurposed into an office building, the location seats 50 employees and features multiple conference rooms, private offices and working spaces and private pods.

46 Labs, which was founded in 2012, will take over a floor formerly occupied by the Sam's Club Innovation Center. Sam's Club parent Walmart Inc. last year disclosed it would shut down the West End as part of a national consolidation of office real estate.

Sam's Club has vacated the building but had leased other floors as well, meaning there could be additional sublease opportunities.

"The West End was once the heartbeat of Dallas, and we see no reason why it can’t be again," 46 Labs CEO Trevor Francis said. "We’re putting our stake in the ground, investing in the future of this district, and creating a space where businesses, innovators and our team can connect and grow together."

Others feel the same way about the West End, originally a hub for manufacturing and now a tourist attraction home to facilities such as the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and the Sixth Floor Museum. The area has been challenged by declining traffic, especially as companies leave downtown for Uptown, but significant investment is poised to reshape the district. That includes new restaurants and a $103 million housing and retail project proposed in the 700-800 blocks of Elm Street.

There's already a sizable office market in the West End, which has attracted innovative companies like C1 Innovation Lab, Common Desk, Corgan and LERMA.

46 Labs previously had its office at 1701 Market St. in Irving. The move to the West End is a milestone for the growing company, which started out as a small, mostly remote operation.

The new office space will be large enough for the company to grow its workforce, with plans to expand to 100 employees over the next three years, according to an announcement.

46 Labs is a Dallas-based telecom service platform provider for IT leaders to manage and monitor global connectivity.

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