A Texas developer plans to build 2.2 million square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of restaurants and shops and a 200-room hotel across from the Dunwoody MARTA station.
Insurance giant State Farm will lease 585,000 square feet of office space and plans to add additional buildings over the next decade, developer KDC said in a press release. State Farm plans to create a new national operations center in the Perimeter area.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle called the project one of the largest corporate office developments in metro Atlanta history.
State Farm now employs nearly 5,000 people in the metro Atlanta area, KDC said, and plans to increase that number to about 8,000.
“We are working to create a ‘workplace of the future,’ including a live/work/play environment – with housing, public transportation, shopping and entertainment all within easy access,” State Farm spokesman Justin Tomczak said in email. “We envision buildings and offices that foster a creative and collaborative environment – open spaces and meeting areas, a bright and new look and feel, comfortable gathering areas, and easily accessible amenities.”
Dallas-based KDC said the first office building in the project would be built on a 4-acre site at Hammond Drive and Perimeter Center Parkway.
“This expansion positions State Farm for the future as we grow to meet changing customer needs and expectations,” Mary Crego, senior vice president for State Farm said in the KDC release.
KDC announced the project Feb. 14. The company said it plans to start work this summer.
Even before the size of the planned project was formally announced, Dunwoody Economic Development Direct Michael Starling said State Farm’s leasing of office space in the area had a great impact on planning by office building owners and developers.
“State Farm has changed everything – and not just for Dunwoody,” Starling said. “The ripple effect is all the office projects now are tightening up.”