For the residents and office workers in Providence’s Empire district, 2012 has been a year of highs and lows.

The influx of workers at the headquarters of 38 Studios LLC provided a measure of vibrancy following the departure of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island in 2009 to its new headquarters in the Capital district. With those new workers came new retail and restaurant investments.

But then 38 Studios collapsed, and almost instantaneously, the district lost some of its luster, and foot traffic, leading to hard times for some of the independent establishments.

But December brought with it a harbinger of better times, as Hasbro put a rotating blue cube on top of its new office building at 15 LaSalle Square.

The Pawtucket-based entertainment giant is looking to move 350 workers into the new offices in the first week of the new year, and with them comes a renewed optimism about the district’s prospects.

And with the happy Hasbro logo on the new sign atop its building, there is reason anew to put on a happy face. •