DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 7, 2008--Aviva USA, the U.S. unit of London-based Aviva plc, the world's fifth-largest insurance group, announced today that it has finalized the land acquisition for its new U.S. headquarters facility in West Des Moines.
Aviva will construct its new, 360,000-square-foot office building and corporate campus on the southwest corner at the intersection of Jordan Creek Parkway and Mills Civic Parkway. The new headquarters facility will accommodate Aviva's future growth objectives and consolidate the company's operations from its three current locations in downtown Des Moines.
"Finalizing the land acquisition is a major step forward with our construction project," said Thomas C. Godlasky, chief executive officer, Aviva North America. ?Our new headquarters facility has generated great enthusiasm among our employees, who have been engaged in the planning process. Their input has been invaluable as we finalize layout plans for the facility and the many amenities that it will offer."
The design of the new facility will comply with guidelines adopted by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System -- a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
"Our new headquarters facility will be visually appealing, environmentally friendly, highly functional and a very distinctive structure that our employees and the entire community will be proud of," said Godlasky.
"The efforts of many entities and organizations have been very instrumental during this important land acquisition process and keeping this critical phase of our building project on schedule," said Godlasky. "I want to thank West Des Moines city officials, particularly Steven Gaer, mayor; Jeff Pomerantz, city manager; and Clyde Evans, director of community and economic development; for their dedication and hard work in helping to keep this important project moving forward."
Aviva is the leading provider of life insurance and annuities to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth-largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums as of December 31, 2006. Aviva's principal global business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of $76.4 billion and assets under management of $713 billion at December 31, 2006.
In 2006, Aviva grew its existing U.S. presence by acquiring AmerUs Group, a national leader in indexed annuities and indexed life insurance. Nationally, Aviva USA is ranked number one in sales of indexed life insurance and number two in sales of indexed annuities.
Aviva USA had $38.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2007. Aviva? s US employees are committed to helping customers meet their long-term savings, insurance and retirement income needs. www.avivausa.com
