iStar Financial announced today that Terminix, the world’s largest pest control provider, will open a new customer care center at Westgate Entertainment District in October that will bring as many as 300 jobs to Arizona and help invigorate activity within the office buildings of the Entertainment District.
At 32,800 square feet, the deal is the largest office lease in Westgate’s history. The Memphis, Tenn.-based company is expanding its customer service operations to Arizona and will take over the entire second floor of the east office building beginning October 1.
“With Westgate’s attributes, including over 15 on-site restaurants and abundant parking, we strategically and aggressively targeted large corporate users and are pleased to announce the full-floor lease to Terminix,” said Jeff Teetsel, development manager of Westgate Entertainment District. “This is the largest office lease in Westgate’s history, and is another indication of our positive momentum. With our direct freeway access and ease and efficiency for employees to walk to lunch, we have a uniquely desirable mixed-use environment for office tenants.”
The announcement comes on the heels of strong leasing activity at Westgate Entertainment District in recent months including signed leases from Buffalo Wild Wings and Whiskey Rose Bar & Grill and the recent openings of Chipotle, Gallery Glendale and The Arizona Republic, which relocated its West Valley office earlier this year.
“This lease is a validation of the market’s response to the nearly $1 million in investments iStar has made in upgrades to the property over the past year that includes improving the parking lot and common areas and installing new signage to benefit office tenants,” said Teetsel.
Terminix, a company with revenues exceeding $1.3 billion, is the largest subsidiary of ServiceMaster, one of the world’s largest residential service networks. Terminix services more than 3 million residential and commercial customers in 47 states and 14 countries.
“This new Arizona facility reinforces our commitment to enhancing the Terminix customer experience and providing one-call resolution to any customer questions or concerns,” said Larry Pruitt, president of Terminix. “Terminix already earns best-in-class service ratings from customers, and this new center will help us take that service to an even higher level.”
Terminix conducted a site selection process throughout the western United States, narrowed the focus to Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix, and ultimately selected metro Phoenix and Glendale specifically.
CBRE’s Bryan Taute and Brad Anderson represented the landlord and Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s Aaron Sommer, of the Atlanta office, and Geoffrey Waldrom and Dan Dobric, of the Phoenix office, represented the tenant.
The City of Glendale Economic Development Department worked to expedite permit processing and coordination to help the tenant meet its expedited occupancy target date. Jeanine Jerkovic in City’s Economic Development department coordinated the City’s efforts, along with Department Director Brian Friedman.
For more information about Westgate Entertainment District, visit www.westgateaz.com.
