The parent company of Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans to move the Atlanta technology hub it announced last year to a new Midtown office tower near Technology Square.
Health insurance giant Anthem said in a news release Thursday the company will anchor a 21-story office tower by developer Portman Holdings at 4th and West Peachtree streets that should open by 2020. Anthem made waves last October when it announced plans to put a software center in the city's tallest tower, Bank of America Plaza, and add 1,800 jobs.
“This new investment is a critical part of the Tech Square expansion and delivers on the commitment we announced last year to grow our IT footprint in Atlanta and the state,” Jeff Fusile, president of Anthem’s affiliated Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plan in Georgia said in the release. “When this building opens in 2020, it will join the City’s dynamic line-up of technology companies, enabling us to tap into the area’s highly skilled talent pipeline.”
The new Midtown tower will offer the company room for potential future expansion to 3,000 IT professionals, a spokeswoman said.
The announcement puts another blue-chip name on the doorstep of Georgia Tech.
Last month, the board of Invest Atlanta approved a $5 million tax break for Portman for the $105 million tower. At the time, officials said the project included new jobs for the region but declined to identify the tenant.
“Portman Holdings is excited to collaborate with Anthem to create a dynamic and collaborative work space,” said Ambrish Baisiwala, CEO of Portman Holdings. “Located in Technology Square and adjoining CODA, this new development speaks to the draw of Technology Square in bringing together talent, technology, innovation and commerce.”
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