Porsche Cars North America will move its headquarters from Sandy Springs to new offices in Hapeville on the grounds of the former Ford automotive plant near the Atlanta airport’s international terminal, officials announced Thursday.
The German automaker will invest $100 million in the move to Aerotropolis Atlanta, a project undertaken by Jacoby Development to turn the abandoned car plant into a major mixed-use facility. Porsche is the first significant tenant to commit to the development, which is poised to capitalize on business traffic through the terminal, slated to open in 2012.
Porsche will eventually employ 400 people at its new offices, a net gain of 100 jobs for Atlanta. The complex will include a test track to showcase its sports cars. It will also house a technical training center. Along with the move, Porsche’s business and financial services subsidiaries will be moved from Chicago to Atlanta.
Groundbreaking will be this fall, with the company expected to move into its new digs during the second half of 2013.
Porsche considered out-of-state sites for the expansion, but ultimately decided on the city where it put down roots in its most significant market 13 years ago.
“Our new American headquarters will make us an even stronger organization, and this decision demonstrates our commitment to the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta to remain a vital part of this vibrant region,” said Detlev Von Platen, CEO of Porsche Cars North America.
Porsche sold 25,000 cars in the U.S. during 2010, up 33 percent from the previous year.
Visit www.porsche.com/usa for more information.
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