Appistry Inc., a software programming company with nearly 50 employees, has relocated its headquarters from Creve Coeur to a loft-style office building just south of downtown.

The company recently signed a three-year lease and moved this month into its new office at the Art of Living Building, 1141 South Seventh Street. Developer Dan Schmitt renovated the building in 2005 as loft offices.

Jean Roberson, Appistry's chief financial officer, said Thursday the move provides the growing company more space, puts it closer to major clients and gives it greater visibility than it had at an office building on Olive Boulevard.

"We really like being downtown," she said. "We have a young workforce that lives in the downtown area."

Appistry searched downtown and midtown before deciding to relocate to the top floor of the three-story Art of Living Building, completed in 1903 for the Moloney Electric Co. Roberson said the company's employees like the open work areas and high ceilings at the old factory builiding.

State tax credits played a role in the move. Roberson said Appistry is getting "quality jobs" credits awarded for adding good-paying jobs and a $75,000 "rebuilding communities" credit to help in the purchase of computer equipment.