MOLINE, Ill.–IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union has officially opened its new headquarters here, a four-story building described in one local report as “bathed by lights of nearly 100 colors.”
The new, 92,000-square foot building, which includes walking paths, includes enough glass that nearly every office offers a glimpse of the Mississippi River, according to QCOnline.com.
The building opened with a ribbon cutting last week even though many of the 250-plus employees have been working in the new building for three weeks.
Credit union officials told QCOnline.com collaboration with employees was key to creating a building that features many offices with large interactive TV screens, workspaces with stand-or-sit desks, and long tables that can accommodate as many as 10 to 12 colleagues.
Three Fireplaces, Outdoor Meeting Area
“Whether it's the comfortable furniture, the three fireplaces, the covered outdoor meeting area outside the east wing of the fourth floor, or the many coffee centers throughout the building, employees very likely had a say in it,” QCOnline reported. “The building is not just open for business — it’s open, period. Even the steps are wide and built out in the open so conversations can take place en route to the next floor.”
“The goal here was collaboration,” Allan Hosack, CFO of IHMVCU told QCOnline.com. “And to take in the beautiful views of the Mississippi to harvest the natural light that comes through as well. We wanted to create an important home for our employee family. That’s why you will notice the number of fireplaces throughout the building, to create that feeling of warmth. That’s one of the most important things for us: to make sure ... employees feel that throughout the building.”
The building has the capacity to house as many as 400 employees in the event of additional expansion. In addition, there is also room for another building if needed on the eight-acre campus.
Great Views
“We put all the offices in the middle,” Brian Laufenberg, IHMVCU CEO, told QCOnline.com. “So the office core there will be able to leave this all open in terms of the workstations. Everybody has a river view or at least an outside view.”
According to the report, large workstations outside the offices are closer to the windows and feature the sit-and-stand desks. “Wellness was another employee focus area, to make sure that they had the opportunity to move the desks up and down,” Hosack told QCOnline, noting there is a gym facility on the first floor.
The new building also includes large photographs, many 95 inches wide, shot by local photographers, that were chosen by the employees.
The building also has a sizable community room.
“We will be happy to share that with the community,” Hosack told the publication. “We envision having membership events with our members, perhaps a movie night. Giving back to the community is very important to us.”
IHMVCU does plan to have an open house during the summer of 2020 for its members.