Langford’s reputation as a developer’s dream appears to be spreading in the corporate world with news Friday that an Ontario tech company has moved into the city and broken ground on a $44-million, 80,000-square-foot office tower.
Citing the ease with which it was able to deal with Langford, Brampton Ont.-based Plexxis, a software development firm focused on the construction sector, has moved its head office to the West Shore and most of its employees to the south Island. It expects to move into its new a 50,000-square-foot tower next summer.
“We had a very specific design in mind and Langford was far and away the easiest [municipality] to deal with on almost everything,” said Chad Pearson, director of business development with Plexxis.
The company, founded 21 years ago, had been looking to relocate to the West Coast for years.
“It took a while, but we got there,” said Pearson.
Chris Loranger, chief executive of the firm, said the location in the Westhills development offered a suite of incentives, including lifestyle and recreation options, a talent pool, affordable housing, the city’s support of business development and its commitment to efficient development processes and timelines.
Langford Mayor Stew Young said Plexxis is the kind of company the city has been waiting years for to complement the recently completed government space across the street, just off the Langford Parkway.
“This is the biggest day for tech Langford has ever had,” he said. “It’s a business that obviously any municipality would want, and I’m just glad they chose Langford.”
Young said as yet, there have been no incentives or breaks offered to the company, but he said the municipality has said it would offer some breaks for tech firms and others that wanted to relocate to the West Shore.
He also noted the addition of the software firm helps establish an office hub in the heart of the municipality that plays into the ideals of live, work and play in Langford.
“For many years, council has focused on attracting tech companies. This announcement will further establish Langford’s position as a centre for talent and growth while creating quality jobs right here in our community,” he said in a statement. “Langford offers the type of lifestyle and affordability that tech talent looks for when selecting where they want to live and work. Not only does Langford offer attainable home ownership opportunities, it provides all the amenities of a larger city.”
Plexxis is now in the midst of building out its new $44-million headquarters at 1331 Westhills Dr. It hopes to have it complete by late next summer.
The company is expected to occupy two floors of the six-storey tower, and will lease out more than 50,000 square feet of space to other office and commercial tenants.
Pearson said they intend to create modern, flexible space in the building designed to enhance performance, positivity and physical and mental health.
Plexxis, which is currently renting office space in the region, expects to have about 100 staff in Langford, with another 20 in Ontario.
Pearson said more than 50 of their employees have already moved to the Island.
In a statement, Premier John Horgan said more tech companies are discovering the benefits of being located in the province.
“I want to welcome Plexxis to Langford and the growing West Shore community. The future is going to be exciting and we’re going to be developing it right here as we build a stronger B.C.,” he said.
