LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PwC US, one of downtown Los Angeles' largest employers, today announced that the firm has recommitted to downtown Los Angeles by signing a 15-year lease with Brookfield Office Properties for 135,000 square feet at the building located 601 S. Figueroa. The building will bear prominent rooftop signage that will illuminate downtown Los Angeles' skyline.
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Approximately 1,450 PwC partners and professionals, currently resident at 350 S. Grand Avenue, will make their move into the LEED E/B Gold-certified, technologically state-of-the-art facilities in May 2013.
The move reaffirms PwC's longstanding commitment to the City of Los Angeles and its clients, including its 79 years leading the Oscars® balloting process on behalf of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Academy).
In addition to signaling its faith in an exciting and thriving part of the central business district, PwC sought out the building to accommodate its future growth plans. The largest accounting firm in Los Angeles intends to increase its employment and is bullish about its long-term growth prospects.
"Over the past two years, PwC Los Angeles has grown our workforce more than 30 percent, adding approximately 350 new jobs to our local practice. We see a bright future in Los Angeles and intend to continue our growth in our new space," said Brian Cullinan, managing partner for PwC's Southern California market. "We're proud to be one of the largest professional services firms in Los Angeles and of our track record serving clients in this market for more than 100 years."
That news was greeted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as a good sign, not only for both PwC's role as a fixture and business leader in the city, but for job growth in the city of Los Angeles as a whole.
"The City of Los Angeles is thrilled that PwC has committed to stay and grow in Downtown LA," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "PwC is a global leader, and I'm delighted that the firm will continue its long legacy serving some of Los Angeles' most prominent and successful companies while continuing their longstanding history of being an upstanding corporate citizen. Having PwC's logo atop of its new building will make a great addition to the Los Angeles skyline, and we're looking forward to their presence in Downtown for years to come."
In talking about the new workspace, Cullinan noted that PwC's business and culture are based on building relationships, delivering quality service and winning in the global marketplace.
"We're building our space based on feedback from our people, which will include the traditional enclosed offices and a more modern and progressive open floor plan, to enhance team collaboration and client service delivery," Cullinan said. "This will be aided by advanced media sharing technologies throughout the office. We're building the workplace of the future with a focus on efficiency, personal flexibility and a concern for the environment."
Cullinan also noted that the space will be attuned to today's highly mobile worker with "touch down desks" throughout all floors and a "work anywhere" wireless network environment. Besides efficiency, the firm also has placed a premium on environmental awareness and human esthetics. Sustainable materials and furnishings will be utilized throughout the six floors and the architectural design is an open and spacious one that offers ample natural light and stunning 360-degree views on all floors.
As another sign of how PwC is responding to how today's employees work, when the build-out is completed, staff will have access to walking workstations to promote a healthy lifestyle and interactive cafes with lounge areas and 70'' video systems to provide an area for social gatherings and team meetings.
In selecting this space, the firm studied everything from traffic and commuting options, to where its people live in relation to the building and where its clients are located.
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SOURCE PwC US