The company's new building is located at 77 Hot Metal St. and known as SouthSide Work's Quantum II. The exterior of the building is complete; interior design and office space construction is expected to be finished in early 2007. The land parcel, which fronts the Monongahela River, will be used for development of a second building.

"We have simply outgrown our current facility," says AE chief executive Jim O'Donnell. Moreover, he says the company's distribution and headquarters needs will continue to increase as it pursues future growth initiatives, including continued expansion of the AE brand and the creation and launch of new retail concepts, including its newest brand, Martin + Osa.

Southside Works is a 34-acre, $450 million retail, office and housing development on the site of a former riverfront steel mill. The seller of AE's new building was the developer of Southside Works, Damian Soffer and his Soffer Organization. AE will benefit from more than $6 million in state assistance in the form of grants and low interest loans. As part of the deal, AE has agreed to lease a nearby parking garage and will provide the space at no cost to its employees.