Last Thursday, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Anthem Inc.’s senior vice president of innovation Tom Miller at a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new technology center in Midtown’s Tech Square.
When opened in 2020, the 352,000 square-foot state-of-the-art structure will house approximately 3,000 multi-disciplinary IT professionals dedicated to simplifying the healthcare experience for consumers and care providers, improving quality of care, and lowering health care costs. Anthem Inc. is one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies.
“Midtown Atlanta is one of the most dynamic technology and innovation centers in the United States and we are excited to add Anthem’s new expansion to our growing healthcare IT ecosystem,” Bottoms said. “Anthem’s decision to build its new Technology Center here underscores its workers’ desire for the mobility options and the diverse, accessible lifestyle offered in one of America’s best urban neighborhoods.”
The Anthem Technology Center will be located at the corner of 4th and West Peachtree streets in Atlanta’s Tech Square. Tech Square has become known globally as an innovation hotbed and includes research facilities, incubators, technology start-ups, the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, and the neighboring mixed-use Coda building currently under construction.
“Our state has built the nation’s best business climate, with a booming health technology industry that continues to recruit from Georgia’s highly-skilled workforce pipeline,” Cagle said. “Anthem’s newest expansion offers more proof that leading businesses recognize Georgia as the premier hub for technological innovation and the best location for continued investment.”
“Atlanta is rich with technology talent, and we are excited to take this next step in creating a hub for our IT organization here with a contemporary and inspiring space for current and future Anthem IT professionals,” said Miller, who also serves as Anthem’s chief information officer. “Located in the technology epicenter of Atlanta, the collaborative environment will enable Anthem’s IT team to more quickly turn health care ideas into real-time solutions and develop innovative tools and resources that will make it easier and more convenient for consumers to manage their health and wellbeing.”
The architectural firm, John Portman & Associates, designed the building and provided Anthem the opportunity to create spaces that support its progressive and collaborative work style. More than 14,000 square-feet of terrace area will allow for an inviting green space, bringing the outside in, to support health and wellness.
As part of the LEED- and Fitwel-certified design, Anthem placed an emphasis on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and design that encourages an active work environment through indoor and outdoor spaces.
“Portman is delighted to partner with Anthem to create another significant development in Midtown Atlanta. The Anthem Technology Center will complement Coda and further cement Midtown as the focal destination for businesses that are focused on collaboration, recruitment, and positioning,” said Ambrish Baisiwala, the chief executive officer of Portman Holdings.
