“We think technology and design professionals will really enjoy this cool space and it will help stimulate the creative process, which is so important in technology-based design.”

Part of the reason for leasing space downtown was to put employees in a different working environment. But another reason is that CarMax is rapidly filling up space at its corporate headquarters, where about 1,000 employees work.

The chain currently is hiring for another 80 positions there, with more likely as CarMax continues to open additional stores nationwide. Plans call for opening 13 to 16 new stores each year for the next two years.

CarMax owns 130 acres west of state Route 288 and north of Tuckahoe Creek Parkway for its corporate headquarters campus. The chain said in 2005 when it opened its offices there that it could build up to two or three more similar-sized buildings and garages — for a total of about 1 million square feet of space — as the retailer hired more corporate employees.

The retailer is still considering adding a second building at West Creek, but has no immediate plans, the company said.