Inside Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. HQ in Sandy Springs

The U.S. division of Mercedes-Benz held a ceremonial ground breaking Monday for its future headquarters in Sandy Springs.

The more than 200,000-square-foot complex at Barfield and Abernathy roads near Ga. 400 will open in 2018. State and local leaders said the recruitment of Mercedes, announced in January 2015, is an endorsement of the region’s business climate, quality of life, workforce and schools, and it is also a calling card to other potential recruits.

Mercedes is one of the biggest names recruited to the Atlanta area in years. The company to date has hired or relocated more than 550 employees to the metro area, and over time is expected to employ 800 to 1,000 at its future campus.