Staffing Firm Plants Roots in West Memorial Place

HOUSTON—With 25 locations worldwide, Competentia specializes in building and managing workforces across the energy and resources industry. The firm offers staffing solutions ranging from recruitment and onboarding to training, payrolling and mobilizing human capital for its clients.

The staffing firm has signed a lease agreement at West Memorial Place, the first LEED Platinum campus in Houston, according to Skanska. Competentia plans to relocate its Houston office to the second floor of West Memorial Place I in early 2020.

“Competentia’s decades of proven experience along with their expertise in the energy sector make them an ideal addition to our West Memorial Place community,” said Matt Damborsky, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development. “West Memorial Place will offer Competentia’s Houston team a dynamic working environment where they can continue to grow and thrive.”

Located in the Energy Corridor at 15375 Memorial Dr., the development now includes two LEED Platinum-certified class-A office buildings: West Memorial Place I measuring 331,000 square feet and West Memorial Place II measuring 385,000 square feet. West Memorial Place I is now more than 80% leased.

The buildings consume 30% less energy than typical baseline buildings. Constructed with a number of sustainable features including waste diversion and energy recovery, the offices at West Memorial Place feature a mixture of stone and floor-to-ceiling glass walls as well as thermal insulation to help reduce heat gain while providing an abundance of natural light. The buildings use an energy recovery wheel, which pre-cools fresh air before it is transferred through the mechanical system. This requires less energy to cool and condition the buildings.

“We’re looking forward to the move and to the additional space to grow,” said Aaron Dowds, Competentia’s US president. “Our team has expanded significantly over the last two years, as Competentia’s footprint in the market has grown. It’s time for us to move into a larger, more modern facility and we’re delighted to have partnered with Skanska to make this happen. The building itself is a real source of excitement for us, with its excellent amenities, energy efficiency and close proximity to many of our clients. It’s the perfect fit for our team and our business.”

JLL represented Skanska, and Anthony Squillante and Collin Roach of Stream Realty Partners represented Competentia in the transaction.

“One trend we continue to see in Houston’s commercial office market is a flight to buildings using automated processes to control operations within the building itself resulting in energy-efficient buildings,” Damborsky tells GlobeSt.com. “Also, tenants are seeking class-A developments that boast top-of-the-line amenities. Tenants are specifically placing a premium on sustainability due to the fact that greener buildings have a more positive impact on the life cycle and operating costs of the property. Statistics show that in recent years, Houston has ranked among the top five cities nationwide (number four in 2017) with the most green office space and Skanska has been at the forefront of that trend in this market. Additionally, in the Energy Corridor, we are seeing a renewed focus on mixed-use spaces that boast unique amenities, like upscale food offerings and recreational facilities that offer an experience outside of the traditional nine-to-five environment. This focus has inspired offerings we have incorporated at West Memorial Place, like the new District 7 restaurant and our state-of-the-art fitness centers that are complemented by the adjacent Terry Hershey Park with miles of hike and bike trails.”

The campus boasts amenities such as on-site food offerings through Fooda, car wash services and a bike share program. In 2017, the campus also became the fifth Enterprise CarShare location in the Energy Corridor, making it easier for tenants to utilize alternative transportation.

Skanska has built and restored local landmarks in Houston for decades ranging from historic renovations like San Jacinto Memorial building on the Houston Community College campus to the new construction of NRG Stadium and the expansion of LBJ General Hospital’s emergency department.