Diageo to Move Primary North America Operations to 3 World Trade

Diageo, which is headquartered in London, is investing $31 million in its new space at 3 World Trade Center and is eligible for up to $6.6 million in incentives via performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits from New York State Economic Development Corp.

Diageo will occupy floors 41 and 42 at 3 World Trade Center.

NEW YORK CITY—International alcohol beverage giant Diageo is relocating its primary North American offices from Norwalk CT to approximately 87,000 square feet of space at 3 World Trade Center here.

Diageo will relocate from its current offices at 801 Main Ave. in Norwalk and will occupy floors 41 and 42 of Silverstein Properties’ 80-story 3 World Trade Center in a lease deal totaling approximately 87,000 square feet. The relocation comes as Diageo’s lease deals in Norwalk and at 530 Fifth Ave. in New York City are expiring, company officials say.

The company made headlines back in 2004 when it announced it was relocating its North American operations from Downtown Stamford to 277,000 square feet of space at 801 Main Ave. Diageo has operated out of the 801 Main Ave. building since then, but has subleased some of that space, according to the company. The company will retain a presence at an as yet unspecified location in Fairfield County, CT. The projected size of its future Connecticut office has also not been determined as yet.

Diageo, which is headquartered in London, is investing $31 million in its new space at 3 World Trade Center and is eligible for up to $6.6 million in incentives via performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits from New York State Economic Development Corp.

The company, which produces 200 brands in 180 countries, is expected to bring 500 total jobs to the property. Members of the company’s commercial, marketing, legal, finance, human resources, corporate relations, and supply and procurement teams will operate from 3 World Trade. The deal involves the attraction of 350 jobs and the retention of 150 jobs in New York State.

Deirdre Mahlan, president of Diageo North America, says of the deal, “We are delighted to partner with New York State on this exciting new chapter for Diageo North America. We are confident that this move will further expand our access to diverse talent pools and capabilities, while helping us create the vibrant culture and workplace of the future that we aspire to.”

She adds that the moves to 3 World Trade Center and to the new Fairfield County, CT location are scheduled for January 2020.

In relation to its planned new Connecticut office, Mahlan says in a statement, “We are committed to continuing to operate in Connecticut. Our Fairfield County office will house a number of teams, including our innovation center of excellence.  We share the governor’s (newly elected Governor Ned Lamont) optimism for the future of the state and look forward to helping deliver on that vision.”

Among Diageo’s brands include: Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

The deal with Diageo comes a day after it was reported that Hudson River Trading signed a 15-year lease at 3 World Trade Center. The 136,000 square-foot lease spans four levels from the 74th through 77th floors.