The move is a consolidation effort of three Downtown offices now under lease. The company has space at 611 5th Ave., Capital Square and the Hub Tower on Walnut Street, all with leases that expire in 2009, says EVP Christopher Littlefield. "We're running out of space in Des Moines, as we're growing rapidly," he tells GlobeSt.com. "Now we can combine into one corporate campus."
The company hired the Staubach Co., Knapp Properties Inc. and Commercial Midwest to evaluate 25 sites around Des Moines, and explored other states as well. "This site offered much more flexibility than the other options," Littlefield says. "It's an attractive piece of land, and this city is really a growing, vibrant area. The area has a highly educated workforce, a high quality of life and a low cost of living. It's a great Midwestern space." He says the London executives decided to build a facility instead of rent because the move is a "long-term strategic decision."
The project still has to go through certain state and local approvals, though the company has promised to bring at least 400 more new jobs to the area if the complex is built. Littlefield says the design of the new project isn't ready yet, and he's not sure if the space will be all in one building or multiple facilities. The land is at the intersection of Jordan Creek Parkway and Mills Civic Parkway.
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