Clayco – a full-service real estate development, architecture, engineering and design-build construction firm – announces the completion of the Reinsurance Group of America’s (RGA) $150 million global headquarters in Chesterfield, Missouri. Clayco served as the project’s design builder and Gensler was the project architect. Jay Longo, President of Forum Studio (Clayco’s full-service architecture practice), was the lead project designer and Fox Architects was the building design consultant and interior architect.
Building construction began in spring of 2013 and was completed in the fall of 2014. Clayco labored through a record-setting winter and, despite over 80 lost days due to inclement weather, was able to bring the project in on time and under budget for RGA.
The design of the headquarters reflects both the global brand of RGA and the local roots of its people, by stacking two high-tech, five-story glass office towers and connecting them through a two-story stone clad amenity base that hides the underground parking structure. Phase one of the LEED Silver facility is 405,000 square feet and can accommodate 1,450 people with the option for a phase two, a 250,000-square-foot expansion.
The twin glass work bars are supported by a limestone base, in which both work bars have a 40 inch structured cantilever design offering great views. There is a perimeter walkway around the entire building for employees, as well. The lower level meeting space also serves as a dining area and includes a workout facility. The exterior features an expansive patio area and lush native landscapes, which filter all of the site rainwater discharge as part of the LEED design.
“I know I speak for everyone involved in the RGA project when I say how proud Clayco is to have had a hand in the design and construction of the largest local headquarters in at least 20 years,” said Clayco Chairman and CEO Bob Clark. “We look forward to working with RGA and our industry partners again soon.”
The building design is very energy efficient, due to a very unique curtain wall system with ceramic fritting, state of the art HVAC system, use of energy efficient lighting, and a window shade system that automatically activates based upon solar demand changes—all of which can be controlled and monitored via a state-of-the-art building integration system.
The RGA facility will bring 300 new jobs to the St. Louis area. Employees from RGA’s current Chesterfield and St. Charles offices will move to the site, as well. With 1,900 employees in 26 offices around the world, and 850 locally, RGA is one of the largest global providers of life reinsurance.
