Guardian Life Insurance

guardian life insurance exterior courtyard including dining area

Client	Guardian Life Insurance
Portfolio	Commercial
Category	Ground Up Building
Size	280,000 SF (26,013 SM)
Location	Bethlehem, PA US
Date	July 2016

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Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America, the 17th largest employer in the state of Pennsylvania, sought a new regional office center in the Lehigh Valley area. The ground-up, three-story corporate complex totaling 280,000 SF consolidates three separate offices housing more than 1,500 employees. The site officially opened in summer 2016 and the base building, which NORR designed, was LEED v3 certified.

The “H-shaped,” three-story complex is located on a formerly vacant, 31-acre property in Hanover Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. As one of the largest employers in the state, the client felt it would be more efficient to house its hundreds of employees in one central location. The design also features a courtyard with paved walkways and seating, and a mostly glass exterior giving it a presence from the street.

As a 150-year-old company with a presence throughout America, the Guardian Pennsylvania headquarters will act as a beacon for the community, creating a hub for local employees, as well as a physical reminder that residents of the area have access to their services.