Clarks Americas Building New HQ in Waltham

WALTHAM, MA—Construction is expected to begin shortly on a new corporate headquarters for shoe retailer Clarks Americas, Inc. here.

The subsidiary of Somerset, England-based of C&J Clark Ltd., reports it will build a new 120,000-square-foot corporate headquarters here at 1265 Main St. Clarks Americas did not disclose the development cost for its new headquarters.

Clarks has signed a 15-year lease for the new four-story headquarters office building, according to the company. When the building is completed, the company will relocate its headquarters staff from its current U.S. headquarters at 156 Oak St., Newton Upper Falls, MA. Clarks Americas currently employs more than 400 employees at it headquarters operations. Construction on the building is expected to begin this month. Move-in will be conducted in phases and is planned for late fall 2016.

“We're thrilled to announce the new location of our corporate office at 1265 Main at CityPoint and are looking forward to the many advantages it will provide our people and business,” says Geralyn R. Breig, president of Clarks Americas, Inc. “Waltham is the next great place for our people to thrive and for Clarks to design stylish, comfortable shoes that meet the needs of our consumers and retail partners. This is a very exciting move for Clarks and I'm confident that 1265 Main will be a great fit for many years to come.”

Boston Properties is the lead developer on the project along with 1265 Main Street, LLC. The new office building is expected to be certified as LEED Silver. The 1265 Main Street development is located 10 miles west of Boston and is a new 280,000-square-foot mixed-use development on I-95/Route128 in Waltham. According to the project's website, plans call for 60,000 square feet of retail/restaurants, along with the 120,000-square-foot office building now leased to Clarks Americas. Phase two could bring an additional 1 million square feet of mixed-use development.

“It is great news that the shell of the original Polaroid building will be transformed into first-class office space. On a personal note, my feet have enjoyed being in Clarks shoes for years! I wholeheartedly welcome Clarks to the City of Waltham and thank all involved in bringing this successful venture to our City,” said Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy.

The new Clarks Americas building will feature an expansive roof deck, a 5,000-square-foot private outdoor terrace, employee retail store, employee fitness center, 10-foot high windows, 50-foot skylights, a three-story lobby, and covered parking.

The interior and exterior design bids were awarded to Boston-based firms ADD, Inc. and Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, Inc., respectively.