Brown & Brown Headquarters A Jewel for Downtown Daytona Beach
Rising 166 feet over North Beach Street , Brown & Brown ’ s
newly opened world headquarters building is less a sign of past success than a symbol of future promise – for the company and the city .
The building , built at an estimated cost of $ 60 million to $ 70 million , punctuates the company ’ s commitment to the city as a whole and the downtown business district .
“ We think it ’ s going to do a tremendous amount for the downtown community as well as the broader area ,” said Andy Watts , Brown & Brown executive vice president , CFO and treasurer . “ We ’ re very excited about what this means for the community .”
Watts said the building could accommodate as many as 900 “ teammates ” at capacity , with most initially coming from the company ’ s old headquarters on Ridgewood Avenue as well as some from company operations in Boston and Detroit . But the company expects to add more teammates in the coming years , and the building was designed to handle an increase in workforce levels and help recruit high-skilled teammates to the area .
Watts said while aesthetics played a role in the building ’ s design concept , more practical considerations were also given weight .
“ We didn ’ t want to just put up the same building as anybody else ,” he said . “ We spent a lot of time to make sure it was truly iconic , not only in the community but we would say on the east coast of Florida . There is really nothing like this .”
The 11-story building features exterior lighting that can change colors to mark holidays , special events , and other celebrations . And , Watts said , it was designed to complement its location in a coastal community .
“ We wanted to make sure it was something that embraced all aspects of the water and the waterfront ,” he said . And that goes for the interior as well .
Watts said the open floor plan with “ very few ” exterior offices gives teammates a chance to take advantage of the building ’ s proximity to the water .
“ From an interior standpoint , all of our teammates have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views ,” he said . “ It was purposefully created that way .”
Those views and the buildings ' long list of amenities are also expected to increase the new facility ’ s attractiveness to potential new employees .
Watts said the building adds additional luster to the Brown & Brown brand “ and further symbolizes our very successful company and somewhere teammates want to work .”
With other downtown redevelopment projects underway , including Riverfront Esplanade Park , the new headquarters can revitalize efforts with its very presence .
Watts said the number of people who will eventually work
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