PHILADELPHIA-The US General Services Administration will move from its current location at 8^th and Market Streets into Dow Chemical's building on Market Street next year, Dow has announced.

Dow said it completed a long-term lease for 122,000 square feet with the GSA at the building it inherited when it acquired Rohm and Haas. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a premier example of the modern movement in architecture. It is one of five Dow offices in the Delaware Valley area.  

The move will keep GSA's roughly 600 employees in the heart of the city, while moving them closer to the tourist and historic neighborhood on Independence Mall across from the Liberty Bell. The overall neighborhood has experienced rising vacancy in the past year.

“This is a great opportunity to bring new professionals to the building, ensure sustainable business in a competitive environment, and remain a relevant player in a vital and productive city,” said Gary Hockstra, Dow's Philadelphia site leader.

Dow has about 2,000 employees and contractors in the area.

“We're thrilled to welcome Center City district neighbors to the building,” said Hockstra. He said Dow is committed to improving quality of life in communities where it operates, and that the building's tenants play a strong role in the “innovative chemisty” of that effort.

The GSA is charged with overseeing management of government assets, including real estate, vehicles and technology, and promoting responsible use of federal resources.