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Satellite company moving headquarters to Tysons Corner
Dec 4 2012 
Satellite company moving headquarters to Tysons Corner
Monday, December 3, 2012
by Gregg MacDonald Staff writer
A satellite services company will be relocating to Tysons Corner, bringing nearly 450 employees with it.
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced Monday that Intelsat is moving its U.S. headquarters to Tysons Corner from its current location in Washington, D.C.
The move is expected to be complete by mid-2014.
According to the governor, Intelsat will lease approximately 188,000 square feet of space in Tysons Tower, a 20-story office building that is being built by Macerich at Tysons Corner Center, adjacent to the Tysons Corner Metro station. The Metro station is scheduled to open in December 2013.
Tysons Tower will be located at 7900 Tysons One Place.
The building is one of three towers that comprise a mixed-use project. The three towers will be connected by a skywalk bridge plaza, and will be a short walk to the planned Tysons Corner Metro station. Intelsat will occupy the 14th to 20th floors of the building, with convenient proximity to the Capital Beltway and Va. 123. Intelsat will remain in its current Washington, D.C., location until it moves to Fairfax County.
“The decision by Intelsat marks the first major announcement of a company that is locating in a building near one of four Metro stations due to open in Tysons on Metro’s Silver Line,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “This is exactly what we had in mind when the Board of Supervisors adopted its plan and vision for Tysons Corner development.”
In June 2010, the board approved comprehensive plan changes for Tysons Corner to transform it into a walkable, sustainable, urban center that ultimately will be home to 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs. The plan focuses on development activity around four Metro stations that are scheduled to open in December 2013.
“In selecting a new location for our U.S. headquarters, we sought an environment that reflects the innovative and dynamic nature of our industry,” said Intelsat CEO David McGlade. “Given our highly skilled workforce and global presence, our requirements warranted a modern and collaborative workspace with access to well-educated professionals, a first-class transportation system and compelling amenities.”
McDonnell praised the move, highlighting the economic strength it will lend to the area.
“Adding an industry leader such as Intelsat, with its rich and storied history, to the roster of companies doing business in Virginia is a testament to the strong business climate that we are focused on continually improving,” he said.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Dist. 11-Va.) echoed the governor’s sentiment.
“As the worldwide leader in satellite communications, Intelsat should feel right at home here in Northern Virginia’s technology corridor at the nexus of where people live, work and play, often with the assistance of Intelsat services,” Connolly said. “Today’s announcement marks another milestone in the transformation of Tysons Corner … once again confirming Northern Virginia is the economic engine of the National Capital Region and the Commonwealth.”
Gerald L. Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, noted that Intelsat will broaden Fairfax County’s economic base.
“Intelsat’s leadership role in the satellite industry gives Fairfax County strength in yet another commercial sector,” he said. “As the Washington region’s business community prepares for reductions in federal procurement, Intelsat, with its rich history of technical leadership and commercial innovation, represents an important diversification of and stabilization for the Fairfax County economy in the future.”