Digital marketing firm Signal Inc. recently signed a two-year lease on a new downtown location.

Located at 202 Princess St., the space has been empty for a few months, but it did house another branding and marketing firm named Planet Logo Inc., according to brokers involved in deal.

Jim Ellis, vice president and account director for Signal, said the firm originally wanted to be downtown when it first expanded from Raleigh to Wilmington, but was unable to find the right space.

Ellis said the idea of moving began after the digital design company’s president was approached by its current Military Cutoff neighbor Wilmington Dermatology Center to purchase the firm’s part of the building.

Ellis described it as “an offer the president couldn’t refuse,” and the design firm, which has nine local employees, was finally able to search for the downtown space it always wanted.

Christian Cardamone of Coastal Properties handled the transaction and said the lease contains two options to renew in the future.

The offices  occupy about 2,100 square feet and include a private outdoor deck.
Cardamone described Signal’s new home as a “beautiful second-floor office space that has been restored to its original historic glory… overlooking the corner of Second and Princess Street.”

Cardamone also said Signal will share the historic “Mugsy Building” with Port City Cheese Steak and Mugsy’s Pub.