Duke Energy Begins Move Into New Corporate Headquarters

CHARLOTTE, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) employees will be on the move over the next couple of years -- literally.

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Many of them will begin moving across the street from their current corporate headquarters at 526 South Church St. to their new facilities at 550 South Tryon St.

The new building, owned by Wachovia/Wells Fargo, has assumed the name Duke Energy Center because the company is leasing approximately 500,000 square feet and will house its corporate operations there. The current Energy Center, which will primarily serve Duke Energy Carolinas operations, will become known as 526 South Church.

The corporation has designed its new corporate office space using Workplace of the Future (WOF) principles to provide employees with some of the most modern, efficient and sustainable working conditions in the country.

These principles incorporate open and collaborative work environments, less energy and water usage, and broad use of natural light throughout workspaces.

"The Duke Energy Center will be a visual demonstration of Duke Energy's commitment to being a leader in promoting energy efficiency, productive workplace solutions, and a sustainable community," said Dennis Wood, vice president of real estate services.

Although some employees have moved onto a pilot floor in the new Duke Energy Center, the transition is actually beginning this month and will continue on a sequenced schedule through early- to mid-2012. The company will occupy floors 15 through 22 and 36 through 48.

This is the first major construction project undertaken by Duke Energy to incorporate WOF design concepts. As the company's future renovation projects occur, many of these same design principles will be used. There are many environmental elements and sustainable practices built into the fabric of the design. Duke Energy space will strive for platinum level certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as designated by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Examples of these measures include ergonomic furniture systems, furnishings that include about 30 percent recycled materials; fabric in upholstery made of 100 percent post industrial recycled polyester; furniture made of 100 percent recyclable materials to reduce landfill; non-toxic paints and adhesives; abundant use of natural light and significant reduction in energy and water usage. The company also used wallboard made from gypsum – a Duke Energy by-product of clean coal technology that is 100 percent recyclable.

Photos of the building and Duke Energy's new workplace environment can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dukeenergy/

Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.  To learn more and contribute to the discussion about the energy issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow see www.sheddingalight.org.

SOURCE Duke Energy