First views of new HQ for American Express (From The Argus)

First views of new Brighton HQ for American Express

4:30pm Tuesday 4th December 2012 in Business News By John Keenan, business editor

The biggest employer in Brighton and Hove has unveiled its state-of-the-art headquarters.

These are the first images of the new American Express European centre in St John Street.

The state-of-the-art building will be home to almost 3,000 American Express employees, who will move into their new and improved workspace during the coming months.

The major building project has also provided employment for local workers as up to 30% of contractors on site were from Sussex, helping strengthen the local economy during the three-year construction phase.

Pupils from Carlton Hill Primary School, children from Tarnerland Nursery, members of the Sussex Deaf Association and American Express employees worked with artist Kate Malone to produce 160 square metres of hand-crafted ceramic tiles, which have been arranged in the style of a traditional flint wall on the outside of the building facing Carlton Hill.

Recycling

The chalk excavated for the foundations has been recycled by local Sussex golf courses.

Seamus O’Loughlin, vice president of real estate at American Express, said: “American Express has a long-standing connection with Brighton.

“Our business has been a fixture of the Sussex landscape for over 40 years and we are delighted to open 1 John Street, a move which underscores our commitment to the local economy and community.

“We have worked closely with the contractors Sir Robert McAlpine and EPR to create a contemporary building that will serve the current and future needs of our business whilst being as environmentally responsible as possible.”

The “wedding cake” building, Amex’s former home, is to be demolished.

According to the council’s city plan, which dictates development in the city until 2030, the site has been earmarked for 30,000sqm of office space and 165 flats.

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