Converse Inc., a subsidiary of Nike, Inc., announced plans to relocate its world headquarters to Boston, MA in April 2015. The move to downtown Boston follows an extensive search for a new company headquarters in the greater Boston metropolitan area.
Converse has been based in North Andover, MA.
The new office space will be developed as part of the revitalized Lovejoy Wharf project led by – Related Companies and The Beal Companies – adjacent to the North End area of the city. The investment supports Converses long-term business growth and commitment to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The announcement was made at the Parkman House where Mayor Thomas M. Menino was joined by Jim Calhoun, president & CEO of Converse, Jennifer McCool, senior vice president of Related Companies and Peter Spellios, senior vice president of The Beal Companies.
Converse was founded a few miles outside of Boston more than 100 years ago and we are honored to be part of this thriving business community and the citys well known cultural hub of innovation and creativity, said Jim Calhoun, President and CEO of Converse. We are thrilled to establish our new home in Boston and look forward to growing with the city in the years to come.
They say that wearing Converse makes a statement about a person. Well, I want to say that Converse moving its world headquarters to Boston makes a statement about our city, Mayor Menino said. Converse and Boston are a perfect marriage. Two venerable and classic brands that are also constantly evolving. The move to Lovejoy Wharf will revitalize this historic northern gateway, while giving Converse access to a young, talented urban workforce.
Converse has signed a long-term lease with co-developers Related Companies and Boston-based Beal Companies for commercial space in 160 North Washington Street in downtown Boston. The site, a waterfront parcel within Bostons North Station area, sits between the Leonard P. Zakim Bridge and the Washington Street-Charlestown Bridge will be completely renovated for Converse, the current dilapidated wharf will be demolished and replaced with approximately three-quarters of an acre of new publicly-accessible waterfront open space, and a new two-story pavilion building will be constructed and occupied by Converse.
Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies said, As the co-developers of The Clarendon, One Back Bay and most recently 100 Arlington Street, we have long been bullish on the future of the City of Boston under Mayor Meninos leadership. We are pleased that Converse has chosen Lovejoy Wharf for its new world headquarters and to be partnering with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and The Beal Companies to transform the site and open up the waterfront to the public for the very first time. Together, we will create a dynamic office location with vibrant retail and grand public spaces and reestablish Lovejoy Wharf as a gateway location to the City of Boston.
We are proud that a first class company like Converse is making a first class city like Boston its new home. Thanks to the unparalleled leadership of Mayor Menino the City of Boston continues to distinguish itself as the premier place to live and work,” said Peter Spellios, a Senior Vice President of The Beal Companies.
Converse has hired architect, Jennifer Carpenter, to design and transform the more than 186,000 square foot space into a workplace that will foster the creativity and expression true to the essence of the brand. Carpenter has collaborated with Converse to create its retail spaces and other Converse projects throughout the U.S.
As part of its new headquarters, Converse will open its second Converse Rubber Tracks, a state-of-the-art music studio dedicated to providing emerging artists with the opportunity to record. Converse Rubber Tracks first launched in Brooklyn, New York in July 2011 and has since become a hub for artists to cultivate their craft and facilitate self-expression.
