WatchGuard Video, the largest maker of law enforcement video systems in the world, is building a new headquarters in Allen. The $46 million, 200,000-square-foot office building will be developed along Exchange Parkway.
The new facility exemplifies growth the city is seeing in its office sector, said Mayor Stephen Terrell. “Demand is being driven by Allen’s highly educated workforce, world-class shopping and dining, and family-oriented lifestyle,” he said.
One of the region’s fastest-growing companies, WatchGuard Video currently occupies space along Century Parkway in Allen. It designs and makes cameras that are installed in police cars and worn by officers. This year, the company released a synchronized in-car and on-body 4RE and Vista WiFi camera system, which is the first and only of its kind. WatchGuard has patented 12 innovations, with 12 more in a pending status.
Experiencing “hyper growth,” WatchGuard began seeking new headquarters space last year, said Stephen Coffman, the company’s president. Upscale amenities and proactive support from the Allen Economic Development Corp. helped sway things in Allen’s favor, he said.
The new building with be constructed in two phases. The first phase, costing $36 million, will be 140,000 square feet, and it’s scheduled to open the end of 2017. The second phase, adding $10 million to the project value, will total 60,000 square feet and open five years later.
“Phase one will get us into the near future, but phase two isn’t far behind,” Coffman said. “We’re planning a high-end building that serves as a great draw for customers and others in the industry, but really focuses on serving our employees.”
WatchGuard’s new headquarters include a “customer experience room,” where WatchGuard products will be demonstrated through mesmeric technologies and innovations. There will also be a training room, an indoor racquetball court, collaboration areas, a gym, a health clinic, and several recreational spaces.
“Aside from the employment and business side of things, we’ve got a huge investment in the building,” Coffman said. “Allen is a place that you can easily see increasing that value because of how well the community has been planned.”
