AACOG Leases 58,000 SF for New San Antonio HQ
After a long negotiation, both parties reached a successful agreement, allowing AACOG the ability to be flexible in accommodating its and client needs, and resulting a good addition to the tenant mix.
SAN ANTONIO—The Alamo Area Council of Governments has been located at 8700 Tesoro Dr. since August 2000, occupying approximately 52,000 square feet of office space. But now, AACOG has selected 2700 NE Interstate Loop 410 as the location for its new headquarters. AACOG has leased approximately 58,000 square feet of space with the right to purchase the building in the near future from landlord, Berridge Investments.
“This relocation will be great for both the AACOG staff and its clients,” said Amber Austin, vice president at CBRE in San Antonio. “It gives AACOG the opportunity to become more efficient with their operations while also providing a more accessible location for the communities they serve.”
AACOG, a political subdivision of Texas established in 1968, is a voluntary association of local governments and organizations that serves its members through planning, information and coordination activities. AACOG services the Alamo Area State Planning region 18, which spans 13 counties, 12,582 miles and approximately 2.5 million Texans. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of all residents of the Alamo region in partnership with elected and appointed officials, funders, community partners and beneficiaries.
“After a long negotiation, both parties reached a successful agreement allowing AACOG the ability to be flexible in accommodating its needs and the needs of their clients,” said Christi Griggs, first vice president with CBRE in San Antonio. “They are a wonderful addition to the tenant mix of the building.”
Austin and Griggs represented the landlord, Berridge Investments, in the lease. Phillip Price, Scott Lewis and Neal Golden with Newmark Knight Frank represented AACOG.
“AACOG is essential to the infrastructure and continued growth of San Antonio. We were excited to partner with AACOG and work on their behalf to ensure their goals for this project were accomplished,” says Lewis. “With this relocation and fresh start, AACOG is well-equipped to continue its mission of enhancing the quality of life for the communities it serves.”
With plans to re-brand the property and add new AACOG signage to the exterior, this building will offer greater visibility for the organization from the location on Loop 410 with close proximity to the Interstate 35 corridor.
“We are delighted about our decision to relocate,” said Diane Rath, executive director for AACOG. “This space will allow us to be much more accessible for our clients, member governments and community partners. Not only is the location more visible, the extra office space and increased parking will afford us the opportunity to offer more resources, more classes and more educational workshops for the communities and partners we serve.”
John Clamp, AACOG chief financial officer, echoed Rath’s enthusiasm.
“We are fortunate enough to have capitalized on this opportunity that will allow the agency to expand, while also offering some space for community partners who may also be looking for a new home,” he says.
AACOG tells GlobeSt.com that it is working toward making its services available to clients on the first floor which will be more convenient for its service population. The team is also hoping to expand training space in the building.
“AACOG’s tenancy will naturally provide a boost to the nearby retail and restaurants as employees utilize those businesses, not to mention the impact of AACOG’s visitors,” Austin tells GlobeSt.com. “There is still approximately 12,000 square feet of contiguous space on the top floor of the building as well as up to 22,000 square feet available at the Plaza Building, a single story sister building. AACOG looks forward to utilizing the incredible visibility of the building to their advantage.”
Recent solid job growth and a lower unemployment rate suggests continued growth in the San Antonio economy, according to a report by NAI Partners. In 2019, San Antonio’s labor force expanded 2.1%, slightly above 2018’s 2%. Job growth in the fourth quarter showed construction posting strong gains at 15.2% or 2,160 net jobs.
Leisure and hospitality registered at 12.5% or 4,190 jobs, and manufacturing listed an increase of 9.6 % or 1,200 jobs. In December, the metro unemployment rate dropped to 3%, while the state jobless rate ticked up to 3.5%, and the nation remained at 3.5%.