KPMG Debuts Collaborative Technology Center

By Anthony Birritteri, Editor-in-Chief On Mar 5, 2018

KPMG today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 86,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art technology center at 75 Chestnut Ridge Road in Montvale, further expanding its multi-building campus in the municipality. Approximately 750 technology employees have moved to the center, mainly from other KPMG facilities in the state.

According to KPMG’s Chief Financial Officer and Montvale Office Managing Principal David H.W. Turner, “The company’s investment in a new building reflects our focus on providing a world-class work environment for our people and our continued commitment to the Montvale community and state of New Jersey. The facility is designed to bring together our technology professionals from multiple sites to support the level of innovation and collaboration that is central to KPMG’s continued success.”

The building features high-tech tools including internet-enabled telephones, sophisticated videoconferencing capabilities, interactive digital communications screens, and electronic whiteboards as well as an innovation area to create and test new technologies for implementation within the firm and for clients. The flexible design provides a mix of collaboration, meeting and individual work space as well as informal hub areas, quiet rooms and a café.

“We have brought together, for the first time in many years, our entire tech team to one location,” said Rick Felts, chief information officer at KPMG, who discussed how the facility’s design of open spaces inspires collaboration, important for tech workers today. He said there is no dedicated office in the building, but there are 520 work spaces. Many can be reserved through the hoteling concept. Work spaces also include stand-up and sit-down desks.

According to Turner, this is an “open design with individual and teaming spaces, and other features meant to make our people feel excited and motivated. We are not only changing the physical environment, but our culture and the nature of how our people work together.”

Ground was broken on the $35-million office building in March 2017. The original site housed a 60,000-square-foot facility previously occupied by another company. SNS Architects & Engineers designed the exterior while Gensler designed the interior of the renovated facility. The building can be expanded by 7,000 square feet in the future. Turner Construction was the contractor.

Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali said he was proud that KPMG has continued to call the town its home for more than 30 years. He added that Montvale is celebrating the addition of 71 new businesses, creating 3,000 new jobs, since September 2016. “We are now expecting, on average, 15 to 20 new businesses to move into Montvale,” he said, adding that most individual businesses are seeking 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of space.

“Companies are moving here because of the town’s amenities, its location, its transportation system and the ease of doing business with the town. The latter is our main objective; we don’t want to be an obstacle, but part of the solution,” Ghassali said.

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