Posted by Heidi Schwartz
The Hertz Corporation has announced building plans for its new global headquarters campus in Estero, FL. The LEED-certified headquarters building design incorporates the key elements of Hertz’s global rebranding initiative. Several campus structures and details come as a result of collaboration with community leaders.
“The new headquarters will be a highly sustainable and efficient world-class building, enabling us to create a best-in-class work environment for our employees. We believe the building will help us recruit top talent locally and nationally, while supporting cultural change at Hertz,” said Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The campus design will be the primary example of our global rebranding program and also reflects input from Estero community leaders. The Estero campus, when completed, will achieve our original goal of bringing together Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty headquarters employees in one location. Additionally, we believe our headquarters campus will help Southwest Florida realize its long-term economic development aspirations,” Frissora added.
A highlight of Hertz’s global rebranding effort is the company commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint through efficiency improvements, resource management and renewable energy production. The new headquarters facilities will use best practices in sustainable design and construction targeted to achieve LEED Gold certification – from energy-efficient lighting and equipment, and recycled building materials and finishes, to the installation of solar panels and water-saving fixtures.
Hertz worked with local community groups to ensure their feedback and participation in the design process. The building height is 10 percent lower than allowed by zoning. A bus stop has been added per resident request, and resident impact has been minimized as a result of the main entrance location.
In May, Hertz announced its decision to relocate its headquarters to Estero following its November 2012 acquisition of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, headquartered in Tulsa, OK. Consolidating the corporate offices to one location will allow for increased efficiencies and cost synergies across the company, and Estero proved to be the right location to blend Hertz and Dollar Thrifty head office employees.
Hertz will bring approximately 700 jobs to the area, estimating that 400 headquarter jobs could be filled locally, with approximately 300 positions being filled by Hertz employees relocating to the area. As of October 2013, Hertz established a temporary headquarter operations in Naples, Florida, while the Estero building is under construction.
