With UnitedHealthcare poised to move out, Warren Davis Properties is now faced with marketing a 65,000-square-foot property in west central Springfield.
UnitedHealthcare spokeswoman Jessica Kostner this morning said the company would vacate its occupied 50,000 square feet at 1930 W. Bennett St. in July ahead of its lease expiration on Aug. 31. She said the “several hundred” Springfield employees were notified this week about the transition and are being encouraged to apply for telecommuting positions.
"As our business evolves to meet marketplace demands, employees working at our Springfield office location will begin transitioning to a work-at-home arrangement,” Kostner said in an emailed statement. “Employees who are unable to work from home will be provided help exploring other opportunities at the company or can opt for a severance package, if they so choose.”
Patrick Harrington of Davis Properties said the company would seek to find a single tenant for the entire 65,000 square feet. The 15,000 square feet not occupied by UnitedHealthcare is vacant. With its ample parking and open areas for cubicles, he said the building could appeal to a call center client.
“There’s really not anything like that available in Springfield right now,” Harrington said. “I’m sure we’ll contact the folks at the chamber of commerce and the economic development group of the chamber to be sure that they’re out there talking to potential employers that are looking at Springfield.
“It’ll be an asset to them to be able to have a space that’s ready to go.”
While the property hasn’t yet been listed, Harrington said Davis Properties would utilize local and national databases to market it at $12.50 a square foot.
The property was constructed in the early 2000s, when UnitedHealthcare moved in as the sole tenant. The health insurance provider downsized to 50,000 square feet before Davis Properties bought the building
in 2012 from New Jersey-based CS Algona Warehouse Inc.
