Opus Development Corporation and The Gavilon Group, LLC, a commodity management firm, on Sept. 28 announced the groundbreaking of a new 127,000-square-foot world headquarters office in downtown Omaha.
“We are extremely pleased to deliver a build-to-suit facility that will enable Gavilon to continue increasing their efficiency and effectiveness in the global commodity markets,” said Marshall Burton, senior vice president and general manager of Opus Development Corporation. “The Opus organization has a nearly 30-year history in Omaha and we’re inspired to work on another facility that contributes to the vibrant business community in this city.”
The Class-A office building will accommodate Gavilon’s Omaha-based employees and support the company’s future growth. Designed and constructed with sustainable practices and elements, the downtown location offers employees, business partners, recruitment candidates and guests proximity to transportation, accommodations, retail shops and entertainment options. Integral to the building’s architecture is the collaborative trade-floor space designed to enhance productivity and workflow. The state-of-the-art, column-free trade floor will feature 22-foot ceilings, full-height glass walls and an open staircase connecting two levels.
“We are proud to be building our new world headquarters downtown and look forward to being situated among the many great companies based in Omaha,” said Greg Heckman, president and chief executive officer of Gavilon. “We have a remarkable city in the Heartland where Midwestern values run deep and the business climate and quality of workforce are second to none.”
Gavilon worked in cooperation with the Mayor’s office, City of Omaha staff, and the Omaha Economic Development Corporation in its decision to relocate its offices and reaffirm its commitment to downtown Omaha.
“Having the new world headquarters for Gavilon in the heart of downtown is a huge win for Omaha,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “Gavilon is a business that will provide the kind of economic growth and job creation vital to the future success of our city.”
Construction begins this month with building completion slated for December of 2013. More than 150 construction jobs will be created as a result of the new office.
Opus Design Build, L.L.C. is serving as the design-builder on the project. Open Studio Architecture is the design architect for the project with Opus AE Group, Inc. serving as architect and engineer of record. Perkins + Will is designing the interior improvements, and ESD is the M/E/P engineer of the enhanced systems for the office’s core operations.
Paul LaFave and David Maenner of CBRE MEGA represented Gavilon as tenant representatives, and Sam Garden of CBRE MEGA will serve as the tenant project manager during the building’s design and construction phases. Robert Peters of Robert Peters Company is engaged as a civic consultant for the project’s public interactions.