Zurich HQ set to open in Swindon town centre this November
The UK headquarters will be based just off Fleming Way
It’s been years in the planning and construction.
But a new Swindon landmark is already visible from the town centre and should be in use within weeks.
The Zurich tower, which will be the new UK headquarters for the insurance and finance giant, is making its presence felt from the town’s central shopping district, visible from The Parade.
And bosses at the company say that staff will be moving into the innovative and very eco-conscious six-story building from November.
'Our new building will enhance the local area and lives of our employees'
Here’s a quote from John Keppel, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zurich UK: “As one of the county’s largest employers, we look forward to building on our strong links and partnerships with organisations in Swindon and beyond. We’re confident that our new building, with its focus on sustainability, will enhance the local area and the lives of our employees.”
Not only will up to 1,000 insurance workers be using the redeveloped site at Kimmerfields, but many more thousands of worker bees (and their queen) will do so as well. The company added: “The building’s electricity will be supplied by renewable sources and it will be single-use plastic free.
“Electric car charging points will be installed on-site, extra cycling facilities will be put in place including secure storage, a bike repair station, drying room and additional showering facilities, and a beehive will be installed on the roof of the building.”
The black-clad tower forms the centre-piece of Swindon Borough Council’s regeneration plans for the central business district and will only be more visible when the authority’s plans for Fleming Way come to fruition.
One of the major parts of the regeneration plan is to lower Fleming Way, meaning the dark underpass will be removed and pedestrians will be able to cross the road directly – which the council hopes will increase movement between the business area and the town centre, improving both.
'Generate an additional £44 million of economic benefit'
The authority said: “Economic analysis shows that the development of Kimmerfields has the potential to generate an additional £44 million of economic benefit over the next 25 years to Swindon’s local economy.
“This work is expected to act as a catalyst, increasing land values and attracting new private sector investment over the next 10 years.”
The council will also hope the building brings it much-needed income. Once Zurich’s staff have moved in it will spend upwards of £38m to buy the building and will lease it back to the finance company.