Telecom Firm Moves NJ Operations to the Valley

Valley aerial shows the breadth of development currently in Santa Clara.

SANTA CLARA, CA—In an effort to enhance collaboration between existing partners, Cambridge Industries Group (CIG) is relocating from New Jersey. The company is planting its headquarters flag at Santa Clara Square, where it has signed a 75,000-square-foot lease. Cambridge plans to move to the 100-acre mixed-use community in the summer of 2017. Based in multiple locations around the world, the telecom networking equipment company specializes in designing and manufacturing carrier and enterprise-class wired and wireless equipment. Its new US headquarters will include a research and development/customer support center. “CIG is a company with an emphasis on intensive R&D, quality and agile manufacturing, and professional customer service. We have many partners in Silicon Valley, so it makes sense for us to locate here to enhance collaboration,” said Gerald Wong , chairman and CEO of Cambridge Industries Group. Currently, three office buildings at Santa Clara Square are completed and two are leased; five additional 220,000-square-foot buildings are under construction and will be completed between the end of this year and the middle of 2017. Cambridge Industries will move into one of the new buildings. “Signing an international information technology company like Cambridge to Santa Clara Square is validation that it is quickly emerging as Silicon Valley’s most vibrant new workplace community,” said Todd Hedrick , regional vice president, Irvine Company Office Properties . Designed by architectural firm, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners , the 1.7-million-square-foot workplace community features sleek architecture, floor-to-ceiling glass to provide natural light and efficient floor plans for maximum flexibility. At build out, the campus will also feature Irvine Company signature amenities: The Commons, an open-air gathering place featuring casual workspaces, the Commons Café, an outdoor living room and complimentary WiFi and KINETIC, which blends fitness centers and wellness services. Santa Clara Square also will feature an 1,800-home luxury apartment community, 165,000 square feet of shopping and dining, anchored by Whole Foods , which opens this summer, and two upscale restaurants unique to the Silicon Valley— Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Il Fornaio . Hedrick tells GlobeSt.com: “Cambridge’s decision to locate their US headquarters in Santa Clara demonstrates the value that leading global companies see in the workplace communities offered at Santa Clara Square. Irvine Company remains focused on creating office environments that enhance the workday for customers.” CBRE ‘s Matt Taylor , first vice president, Tom Taylor , executive vice president and Robbie Taylor , associate, represented Cambridge. Mark Schmidt , managing director, and Daniel Schmidt , associate, of CBRE’s San Jose office represented Irvine Company.