Article by Steve Lackmeyer for The Oklahoman
Plans are finalized and developers are set to start construction later this year on a $40 million headquarters that will be home to Heartland, the U.S. payments and payroll division for Global Payments.
Heartland Payment Systems was started in 1997 and retained its operations in Edmond, Okla., after it was acquired by Global Payments in 2016. Tony Capucille, president of Heartland, told The Oklahoman he expects the local workforce to grow from 150 to 400 when the new headquarters opens in mid-2020.
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Capucille said the site was attractive due to its location along the Oklahoma City Streetcar (which starts later this year), its proximity to the Fifth Street Parking Garage that will be used by his employees, as well as area amenities.
“We love the location,” Capucille said. “We like how it transitions between Automobile Alley and downtown. We love its proximity to the YMCA. Having a parking option was paramount. Automobile Alley has done a great job with the restaurants and with the overall feel. And we love the ingress and egress from the highway that offers easy access.”
‘Transit-oriented development’
Capucille repeatedly mentioned the streetcar that will pass in front of the future headquarters as a significant consideration for moving to Automobile Alley, adding it will connect his employees and customers with area restaurants, meeting venues and hotels.
Andy Burnett said he believes the role played by the streetcar in the development likely qualifies it as a “transit-oriented development” linked to the MAPS 3-funded transit system.
Capucille said the workforce at the new headquarters will span 15 disciplines, including support staff, developers, payroll, IT, finance, legal, sales and executives.
…Capucille had high praise for the project team that in addition to the Burnetts includes architect Rand Elliott and contractor Lingo Construction. He said the project also has been coordinated with representatives of the city and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
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The Heartland move and expansion coincides with announcements by Hogan/Taylor and Echo Energy that they, too, are moving their headquarters downtown and that BancFirst is looking to expand its current downtown headquarters with a possible purchase of Cotter Ranch Tower.
“Heartland embodies the renaissance of downtown Oklahoma City,” Burnett said. “They have a vibrant, innovative culture and are attracting strong talent that loves their work and community. They chose to plant their flag here when they could have gone anywhere.”
