Barclays Bank Chooses McKinney, Texas for U.S. Technology Center

MCKINNEY, Texas, Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- London-based Barclays Bank has selected McKinney, Texas, as the new site for one of the company's innovative technology centers. Barclays, a Global Fortune 500 company, is an international financial service provider engaged in personal banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management.

Barclays will move into the McKinney Corporate Center 1 building at Craig Ranch, developed by VanTrust Real Estate, LLC. Barclays Technology Center will initially occupy over 40,000 square feet of Class A office space located at 6800 Weiskopf Avenue in McKinney. Barclays Technology Center will support the bank's operations globally.

The Barclays Technology Center, McKinney, will support the bank's growing industry requirements, provide technology support to the business and develop solutions for all the group's activities and requirements.

"We are excited to bring Barclays, a global Fortune 500 Company, to McKinney," said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. "We are committed to working with Barclays now and in the future as we welcome Barclays to our corporate community. The City of McKinney is committed to working with corporations in a timely and efficient manner as we strive to attract new business development and expand existing businesses consistent with one of our top City Council priorities. I appreciate Barclays' confidence in our community with their decision to locate in our Corporate Center."

Barclays began discussions with the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in December 2013, when they expressed interest in the McKinney Corporate Center 1 building. MEDC worked closely with the City of McKinney staff and City Council, the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC), Craig Ranch, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Van Trust to efficiently work on an expedited time frame. Barclays plans to move into McKinney Corporate Center in the fall of 2014.

"McKinney presented Barclays a competitive opportunity with a high profile location along the Sam Rayburn Tollway, a highly educated and abundant labor pool, and sufficient parking for their employees," said McKinney Economic Development Corporation Board Chairman, Ernest Lynch III. "Our economic development team was able to move quickly to address Barclays' needs."

"We are excited to be working with a premiere multinational company such as Barclays," said Ran Holman, executive vice president at VanTrust Real Estate, LLC.  "Barclays' selection of McKinney Corporate Center 1 at Craig Ranch is monumental.  Craig Ranch, with its array of residential, retail and quality of life amenities is poised as a strong corporate destination.  The Barclays name and the quality it represents is consistent with the objectives and standards of the City of McKinney and McKinney Corporate Center," Holman added.

"McKinney offers corporate clients a special place to live and work," said McKinney Community Development Corporation Board Chairman George Fuller. "The city offers a unique lifestyle to corporations and residents. It sits in the center of an outstanding high-tech labor pool that is attracted to the city's exceptional quality of life, family-oriented lifestyle, high quality schools and some of the region's most reasonable, high-quality housing."

The City of McKinney has also been recognized by Realtor.com as the second most-searched-for places to live in the country. In addition, Money Magazine ranked McKinney as #2 on the "Best Places to Live in America" list, citing plenty of housing options, low taxes, abundant job opportunities in technology, energy and medicine, as well as a new conference center and hotel complex in the works.

About McKinney
McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney has a current population of more than 149,082. Established in 1848, the city is located 30 miles north of Dallas and offers rolling hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments. Visit the city's website at www.mckinneytexas.org. 

About the McKinney Economic Development Corporation
The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) was created in 1993 to support the development, expansion and relocation of new and existing companies. The mission of the MEDC is to work to create an environment in which community-oriented businesses can thrive. The MEDC is actively pursuing investments in, Aeronautics /Aviation, Corporate headquarters, Emerging technology, Healthcare and Medical Device Manufacturing, Professional services, Renewable energy. For more information visit www.mckinneyedc.com 

About the McKinney Community Development Corporation
The McKinney Community Development Corporation is an organization with a mission to promote and preserve the quality of life in McKinney. It was established in 1996 when McKinney voters approved a one-half cent sales tax to be used to enhance McKinney's aesthetic, cultural and leisure amenities. www.mckinneycdc.org

About Barclays Bank
Barclays is an international financial services provider engaged in personal banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management with an extensive presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Barclays' purpose is to help people achieve their ambitions – in the right way.

With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 140,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.

For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.

About VanTrust Real Estate, LLC
VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company with a regional focus and national scope. VanTrust is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri with regional offices in Columbus, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix. The company creates real estate assets for both internal portfolio holdings as well as disposition opportunities. VanTrust offers its clients and capital partners a full spectrum of real estate services including acquisition, development, asset management, construction management and consulting. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, retail, institutional, governmental, hospitality and recreational. VanTrust's ownership and substantial capital base are associated with the Van Tuyl Group¹.  Access www.vantrustre.com for more information.

About Craig Ranch
Craig Ranch is a 2,200-acre master-planned business, retail and residential community in McKinney, Texas. As part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and just 30 minutes from DFW airport, Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination. The TPC Craig Ranch private golf course is the centerpiece of the community and a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program. The open green spaces and small-town ambiance of Craig Ranch serves as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and unique amenities give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch, The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch and The Beach at Craig Ranch, a youth to pro-level sand volleyball venue. Contact Demian Salmon, Commercial Developer Manager for Craig Ranch at [email protected] or call 214-644-1204.

SOURCE City of McKinney