Another tech company is putting its mark on the Chicago River.
On Friday, Salesforce announced it’s bringing a new headquarters and 1,000 jobs to the Windy City. The new regional HQ will be located just southwest of the Merchandise Mart, and is set to open in 2023.
News of Salesforce’s expansion plans first surfaced in August when Crain’s reported that the company was planning a new HQ that could accommodate up to 5,000 new employees.
“Chicago is the Midwest’s largest city with a global and economic force that attracts a wealth of talent and international business,” said Salesforce EVP of Industries and Partners Tyler Prince in a statement. “Salesforce is committed to continued growth in the region and supporting our thousands of Chicago-based customers and partners as they transform their businesses and connect with their customers in new ways.”
Chicago is the Midwest’s largest city with a global and economic force that attracts a wealth of talent and international business.”
Salesforce Tower Chicago was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, the same firm that did the company’s San Francisco tower, and will stand 57 stories tall. The company said the building will feature an “immersive lobby experience” and “Ohana floor” on its upper levels, which will serve as a hospitality space for the company’s customers and partners and will also be available to nonprofits and education groups to rent at no cost.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the tower will feature a Salesforce sign near the roof that will measure 1,000 square feet. The size of the sign was reportedly a key sticking point between Salesforce and the city and required the amendment of a local ordinance.
There’s no word on what will happen to the company’s existing office in River North once Salesforce Tower Chicago opens. Salesforce didn’t announce the size of its new space, but the Chicago Tribune reports that it’s around 500,000 square feet. The total square footage of the building is said to be 1.2 million.
Salesforce also did not confirm what roles it would be hiring for when its new HQ opens. The company did say that it has 1,400 employees in the city, which makes it one of Chicago’s largest tech employers.
“The city is home to one of the largest tech talent pools in the United States, and we are thrilled that Salesforce has made the commitment to further that growth,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement.
Who needs HQ2 anyway?
