Open Text Expansion | 20 m | 5 fl

[UrbanWaterloo]

Open Text Expansion
Frank Tompa Drive, University of Waterloo Research & Technology Park

http://www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca/media/images/All_Renderings_Page_3_000.jpg

[Spokes]

Open Text doubling the size of its Waterloo headquarters

December 15, 2009
By Rose Simone, Record staff

WATERLOO — Open Text Corp. will double the size of its Waterloo headquarters with the construction of a second building in the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park and add as many 800 more people to its workforce here.

The company already employs about 1,000 people in Waterloo, between the building that is currently on Frank Tompa Drive and rented space elsewhere, said Tom Jenkins, Open Text executive chair and chief strategy officer.

The new building, expected to be complete in 2011, will give the company the capacity to have a total of 1,500 to 2,000 people on its campus in Waterloo, he added.

Construction of the new 120,000-square-foot, five-storey building will start in July and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011. It will be joined to Open Text’s existing 113,000-square-foot, three-storey office by an elevated enclosed sky bridge.

Open Text creates the software that organizes and allows the sharing of digital text, video and audio content generated within corporations, media companies and government organizations all over the world.

Jenkins describes it as being akin to a Facebook or YouTube behind the protected computer firewalls of large organizations, allowing people in the organization to collaborate on work, and also manage websites that share digital media content with the outside world.

“People have not stopped using the internet during the recession, so we have had continued growth all the way through it,” Jenkins said. We have had quite a lot of customer demand because what we do is the internet,” he added.

The amount of content on the internet is rising exponentially, Jenkins said. “So what this represents is not just a belief in Ontario and Waterloo, but it is a big bet on the internet,” he added.

Although he couldn’t be at the announcement, Open Text’s president and chief executive officer John Shackleton said in a statement that “it’s an exciting day for the Waterloo tech region and particularly for Open Text, our employees, customers and partners.”

Shackleton said that despite the challenging economy, the company’s customers continue to view its enterprise content management software as critical to their operations.

“We anticipate continued demand and therefore are keeping pace for the long term by expanding our headquarters facility with a second building,” he said.

Coupled with growing internet use, Open Text is also growing locally because it is consolidating some of its head office functions like accounting and marketing that are done elsewhere in the world, here in Waterloo. This will create new business office-related jobs in Waterloo along with the information technology jobs, Jenkins said.

The company’s existing building is already bursting at the seams, Jenkins added.

“If you were to ask the staff here, they would say that we should have built this building a year ago,” Jenkins said. “We have had to take our meeting rooms and turn them into offices and run meetings in our cafeteria.”

Jenkins said details on the costs are still being worked out but he estimates the new building will be a more than $15 million investment. He also said there will be a high-density parking garage to accommodate staff parking, as well as a pathway to the future light rail transit system that the region in planning.

The expansion announcement “is a great thing to do before Christmas, for the whole region,” Jenkins added.

It also comes on the tails of another job-creation announcement last week, when Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada said it will be adding a second shift and 800 jobs at its plant in Woodstock.

Dignitaries attending the Open Text announcement on Monday applauded the news.

”It is absolutely a joy to think that we will have 800 more positions opening here and that there will be 800 more families, homes and the prosperity that this brings to the community,” said Waterloo mayor Brenda Halloran.

University of Waterloo president David Johnston added, “what we produce is talented people and this provides an opportunity for those talented people to come to work here.”

Peter Braid, federal MP for Kitchener Waterloo, said it will have a positive impact on the community, the province and the country. “We owe much of our global prosperity, our strength and our stability to the success of high-tech companies like Open Text,” Braid said.

Meanwhile, John Milloy, the province’s minister of research and innovation and Kitchener Centre MPP, as well as John Wilkinson, provincial revenue minister and MPP for Perth-Middlesex, lauded this expansion as well as the money that Open Text has committed toward a digital media centre that will have facilities in Kitchener and Stratford.

Jenkins thanked all the levels of government, as well as the University of Waterloo, for supporting the growth and the expansion of Open Text.

“It really does take a community to build a corporation,” Jenkins said.

He added that the continued growth of Open Text also creates spin-off jobs here and elsewhere. One study done on large technology companies showed that for every export-related job that is created, 10 spinoff jobs are also created, he said.

Open Text currently employs about 4,000 people around the world and as a global company, it could have made the investment anywhere in the world. “Our management team did an exhaustive survey of all the major centres of the world,” Jenkins said.

“This was the best, most creative and economic place to make this investment,” he added.

rsimone@therecord.com

http://news.therecord.com/article/644341 (http://news.therecord.com/article/644341)

[Spokes]

So the expansion will look much like the first building (below), just taller:

http://www.westmountstorefront.ca/images/open-text.jpg
http://www.westmountstorefront.ca/projects.html (http://www.westmountstorefront.ca/projects.html)

[UrbanWaterloo]

More Renderings: http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/about/renderings.html

Open Text II
110,000 sq ft

http://www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca/media/images/All_Renderings_Page_1_000.jpg

http://www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca/media/images/All_Renderings_Page_2_000.jpg

http://www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca/media/images/All_Renderings_Page_3_000.jpg

http://www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca/media/images/All_Renderings_Page_4_000.jpg

R+T Park Overview
http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/about/ParkMap.html
http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/about/images/Bldgs1_000.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Before Photos - April 14, 2010

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-April142010-1b.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-April142010-2a.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-April142010-2b.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-April142010-3a.jpg

[Spokes]

When is this slated to get started?

[RangersFan]

I think construction is suppose to start in July.

[taylortbb]

I went past here today, fencing is up around about half of the parking lot. Looks like they're about to break ground.

[Waterlooian4Life]

I think construction is suppose to start in July.
Construction Started about a month ago when they started building the temporary parking lot.... that was phase one the actual building and parking garage will be next

[Spokes]

Construction Started about a month ago when they started building the temporary parking lot.... that was phase one the actual building and parking garage will be next

Where is the temporary parking lot?

[Waterlooian4Life]

Where is the temporary parking lot?

The temporary parking lot is in between Sybase and the Research Centre where the Centre for Quantium Computing is currently housed.

[Spokes]

The temporary parking lot is in between Sybase and the Research Centre where the Centre for Quantium Computing is currently housed.

Oh ok...a "block" up the road. Where the Research Advancement Centre III will end up

[Spokes]

When it's all said and done, they'll probably be able to fit another building in between Open Text 2 and the Accelerator Centre

[diego]

When it's all said and done, they'll probably be able to fit another building in between Open Text 2 and the Accelerator Centre

Yes but that's a different lot, I'm not sure if it's even sold yet?

[Spokes]

Yes but that's a different lot, I'm not sure if it's even sold yet?

I don't even think its a "lot" to be honest with you. I just meant there was enough space between the two buildings and factoring in their surface lots, that a building could still fit in nicely there.

[diego]

I don't even think its a "lot" to be honest with you. I just meant there was enough space between the two buildings and factoring in their surface lots, that a building could still fit in nicely there.

Well, it is definitely a separate lot according to the interactive map in http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/map/index.html
so is the OpenText expansion only on their existing lot or they're building on the one next to them?

[Spokes]

Well, it is definitely a separate lot according to the interactive map in http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/map/index.html
so is the OpenText expansion only on their existing lot or they're building on the one next to them?

I was under the impression that it was that lot (285) that was going to be Open Text 2. Especially since the map says U/C. Can anyone confirm or deny?

If Open Text is building on their own existing lot, then there's definitely, officially another lot to develop.

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 27, 2010

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Waterloo/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-July272010-1b.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Waterloo/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-July272010-2a.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Waterloo/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-July272010-2c.jpg

Open Text Shuttle Bus
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/UrbanWaterloo/Waterloo/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-July272010-4-Cropped.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

August 4, 2010

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/UW/UWRTPark-OpenText-August42010-5.jpg

[RangersFan]

Not the greatest shots due to the distance and a poor camera
Sept 15, 2010
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/University%20of%20Waterloo/OpenText2Sept1520101.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/University%20of%20Waterloo/OpenText2Sept1520102.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/University%20of%20Waterloo/OpenText2Sept1520103.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

October 16, 2010

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/UW RT Park - Open Text 2 - October 16, 2010 - 1 Resized.JPG

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/UW RT Park - Open Text 2 - October 16, 2010 - 2 Resized.JPG

[RangersFan]

Nov 17, 2010 Strong winds = bad quality
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/OpenTextexpansionNov1720104.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/OpenTextexpansionNov1720103.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/OpenTextexpansionNov1720102.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac273/leaffan431/OpenTextexpansionNov1720101.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

December 26, 2010

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/064%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/068%20Resized.jpg

[Spokes]

From the looks of things, they'll be able to build in front of the parking structure down the road if they so choose. Open Text III, same design, 8 stories, street facing.

[UrbanWaterloo]

January 24, 2011

http://www.WonderfulWaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20January%2024,%202011%20-%201a%20Resized.JPG

http://www.WonderfulWaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20January%2024,%202011%20-%202%20Resized.JPG

[UrbanWaterloo]

January 31, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%20-%20January%2031,%202011%20-%201c%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%20-%20January%2031,%202011%20-%203%20Resized.jpg

[RangersFan]

Wow this has really come along way since the last time I was there.

[UrbanWaterloo]

February 23, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20February%2023,%202011%20-%201b%20Resized.JPG

[metropolis]

That bridge connecting the two buildings will have a commanding view over Columbia lake. Cycling up Columbia Street yesterday you can see the bridge from there.

[UrbanWaterloo]

March 29, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20March%2029,%202011%20-%203%20Resized.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20March%2029,%202011%20-%204%20Resized.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

April 13, 2011

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20April%2013,%202011%20-%201%20Resized.jpg

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20April%2013,%202011%20-%202%20Resized.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

September 10, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20September%2010,%202011%20-%203b%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20September%2010,%202011%20-%204a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/UW/RT%20Park/UW%20RT%20Park%20-%20Open%20Text%202%20-%20September%2010,%202011%20-%204b%20R.jpg

[bcwessel]

I had never really looked at this project before until now. Why on Earth was the second building not tilted to face the first directly, thus providing adequate room and spacial definition for a connective central courtyard/covered seating area/something that's not a driveway. Were the additional 16 parking spaces really that important? When I look at projects like this, I can't help but imagine the architects as those knee pad kids who were traumatized by their parents into fearing the outdoors.

[diego]

Why on Earth was the second building not tilted to face the first directly

Or why on Earth was the second building not designed to have any sort of relation to the street?

[bcwessel]

Or why on Earth was the second building not designed to have any sort of relation to the street?

Pfft. Streets are so previous five thousand years of human history. I'm only interested in things with "wow factor," or potentially "zazz."

[diego]

Pfft. Streets are so previous five thousand years of human history. I'm only interested in things with "wow factor," or potentially "zazz."

I hope that was sarcastic.

[bcwessel]

I hope that was sarcastic.

Sorry, that was sarcastic. I do in fact believe that the previous 5000 years of human civilization is relevant (or should be) to our present condition. I didn't know which little man to use. (My personal favourite is this guy:dance:.)

[markster]

I had an interview at OpenText 1 in February.
I decided to take the iXpress.

It was a pretty horrible walk from the R&T Park station. There was no way to cut diagonally across the Accelerator Centre's parking lot without fording a large snowbank. At the time, the construction had closed down the sidewalk to the front door, leaving only the muddy driveway.

[UWaterloo]

I remember all too well that sidewalks are the last thing to be cleared on the north campus. The times I had to walk along the road - luckily it was never too busy - at least back between 2004-7 when I was there.