MBFS and Project Partners, Olympia Development of Michigan, KIRCO MANIX and Gensler, Find Success Amid Uncertainty with Ground-Up Construction of New Headquarters Facility Through Pandemic
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (Sept. 27, 2022) – Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC (MBFS), which provides brand-specific financing and leasing products, as well as insurance services, to customers who choose Mercedes-Benz vehicles, recently unveiled its one-of-a-kind, newly-constructed corporate campus in Farmington Hills, Mich. The innovative headquarters project, designed to support MBFS’ new hybrid workforce model, was completed within scope, on time and on budget, despite the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Shortly after construction commenced in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic created numerous challenges in materials, regulations and worker safety, among other areas, but the project partners rallied together to facilitate progression against these new challenges. Additionally, in early 2021, a few months shy of the planned project completion, changes to the company’s corporate structure created the need for further changes to the new Farmington Hills headquarters building.
With the help of partners Olympia Development of Michigan, KIRCO MANIX and Gensler Detroit, MBFS was able to use the new building project as an opportunity to envision and create the ideal modern workplace. The new three-story, 200,000-square-foot MBFS headquarters building located on 35 acres at 35555 W. 12 Mile Rd. is only about one mile away from the company’s previous corporate home, continuing its commitment to and investment in the Farmington Hills, Mich. community.
The short move proved a major undertaking, however, as MBFS and project partners worked collaboratively with an eye toward the real-time evolution of workforces and workspaces, through the hurdles of a global pandemic and the challenges of a company spin-off mid-project. Now complete, the new headquarters supports over 700 team members from Mercedes-Benz, each working a flexible, hybrid model split between work-from-office and work-from-home hours each week.
“Our new headquarters is a testament to our vision for where we are going as a company and our dedication to being an employer of choice,” said Peter Henn, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. “Our building represents our continuing commitment to our community, but also our focus on a forward direction…sustainability, flexibility, innovation and the unmistakable spirit of luxury of the Mercedes-Benz brand are at the heart of this space. Through numerous changes and challenges, this project team proved to be second to none, creating something that exceeded our expectations.”
“Working together, we were able to provide a workspace that is perfectly suited for the MBFS workforce now, and well into the future,” said Keith Bradford, President of Olympia Development of Michigan. “Through this collaboration we were able execute on our strength as a creative, flexible and client-orientated partner that helps organizations prepare for the future through innovative workplaces that inspire people, connect community and sustain the environment.”
Some of the features of the new LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) MBFS headquarters include:
- A variety of workspaces: private offices, individual and shared workstations, open collaborative areas and social hubs.
- Fifty meeting rooms and closed workspaces, from individual focus rooms to conference rooms for 20 people or more, with the latest in video and wireless conferencing technology.
- 10 complimentary EV charging stations.
- Pantries on each floor, including kitchenettes, seating, storage and more.
- Benz Beanz: A coffee bar just beside the main lobby.
- Star Café: Open daily for breakfast and lunch, and anytime grab-and-go service.
- The Body Shop: A subsidized employee fitness center, open 24/7, including: group classes, weightlifting and cardio equipment, private locker rooms and more.
- Tech Stop: Walk-up employee technology support area.
- Enhanced security technology, including newly introduced employee facial recognition at main entrances.
- Integration with nature: Outdoor spaces and seating include a ¼-mile walking trail, dining patio, atrium spaces and front entrance.
- Thoughtful design: Space designations, colors and design elements reflect the Mercedes-Benz three-point star, representing air, land and sea. Additionally, the space boasts a selection of over 70 fine art pieces curated for the MBFS corporate collection.
These features and amenities offer MBFS team members many of the conveniences and comforts of remote work, while enjoying the benefits of in-office work. Collaboration is essential to business success in today’s knowledge-driven economy, and the open floorplan, with thoughtfully designed collaboration spaces, captures this in the MBFS headquarters. The wide space and vaulted ceilings of the main atrium offer the perfect setting to celebrate cultural heritage holidays and mingle with colleagues at mixers following town hall meetings. Plus, the range of work spaces give options to any team member looking for privacy and focus, a large monitor, whiteboard, video conferencing setup, or all of the above.
“As a Michigan-based business, we were pleased to have had the opportunity to team up with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Olympia Development of Michigan and Gensler on this local project,” said Douglas W. Manix, president of KIRCO MANIX. “We at KIRCO MANIX pride ourselves on being a true partner with the ability to handle complex and innovative corporate headquarter projects like this on time and on budget.”
Although it’s been in regular use for just over six months, the new MBFS headquarters has already earned award-winning status, receiving the 2022 “Real Estate Project of the Year” accolades from the Michigan Chapter of CoreNet Global, a non-profit association representing nearly 10,000 executives with strategic responsibility for the real estate assets of large corporations.
“We were pleased to partner with such an incredible client; the MBFS team had a strong vision to create a refreshed, collaborative, wellness-driven experience for employees that reflects the shifting nature of work,” said Lily Diego, Design Director at Gensler Detroit. “The design unites the legacy of the Mercedes-Benz brand with Michigan’s landscape, drawing inspiration from the local ecosystem that can be found in the colors, textures, and indoor/outdoor blend of environments throughout the building.”
About MBFS
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC (MBFS USA), headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with a Business Center in Fort Worth, Texas, provides finance, lease and insurance services for the dealers and customers of Mercedes-Benz cars and vans in the United States. MBFS USA is a member of the Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG group of companies (a division of Mercedes-Benz Group AG), headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, a leading global financial services organization and provider of best-in-class automotive financial and mobility services in markets around the world. For more information on MBFS USA, please visit https://corp.mbfs.com or connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/2711920/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mymbfs) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mercedesbenz_fs/). For more information on Mercedes-Mobility AG, please visit https://www.mercedes-benz-mobility.com/en/.
About ODM
Olympia Development of Michigan, an Ilitch company, is a real estate development firm dedicated to improving the lives of people who live, work and play in Detroit and beyond. Through catalytic developments, innovative design and construction, and inclusive placemaking, Olympia Development continues to create jobs, increase tax base and grow businesses. Olympia Development’s growing portfolio of developments fosters dynamic connections between people and environments through a range of retail, residential, institutional and commercial office spaces. Learn more at https://www.OlympiaDevelopmentMi.com/.
About KIRCO MANIX
Operating throughout the region since 1929, KIRCO MANIX provides construction services in the following market sectors: corporate office and headquarters; advanced manufacturing / research and design; warehouse / distribution; retail; healthcare; and senior living. The company offers customers a unique, full-service approach by managing the design, engineering and construction phase through the eyes of an owner. For more information, please visit www.kircomanix.com or call 248.354.5100.
About Gensler
Gensler is a global architecture, design and planning firm with 52 locations across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and the Americas. Founded in 1965, the firm serves more than 3,300 active clients in virtually every industry. Guided by determined optimism, we believe the power of design can spark positive change and create a future that promotes equity, resilience, and wellbeing for everyone.
Media Contacts:
Jason Brown; Hope Brown, PublicCity PR
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