KPMG Signs Lease At Hall Arts For New Space In The Dallas Arts District

DALLAS, April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, and Hall Financial Group, owner and developer of the mixed-use Hall Arts project, announced today that a long-term lease has been signed making KPMG the anchor tenant in the development's first building to be built at 2323 Ross Avenue in the prestigious Dallas Arts District. KPMG will be leasing more than one-third of the 450,000-square-foot office building.

Construction on the 16-story, Class AAA building is scheduled to start in September with completion planned for March 2015. KPMG plans to relocate its Dallas office to 2323 Ross Avenue at Hall Arts beginning in summer 2015.

"I cannot think of a better way to mark 100 years of KPMG's presence in Dallas than with a new office space in the Arts District that renews our commitment to this flourishing area of Downtown Dallas," said Manny Fernandez, KPMG's managing partner in Dallas. "I am confident that our new location in this vibrant neighborhood will help us create a highly-desirable work environment and retain and attract the talented individuals who are the cornerstone of our firm's continued success."

Established in 1915, KPMG's Dallas office serves a wide range of clients––from FORTUNE 1000 to middle-market companies. The new office space will feature enhanced technology capabilities and collaborative workspaces designed to support the way the firm's professionals work and serve clients today and in the future. KPMG's office is currently located at 717 N. Harwood Street in Downtown Dallas.

"The City of Dallas places great emphasis on building our economic base through the recruitment of new business, and just as important, retaining those who have already made Dallas their home," said Mayor Mike Rawlings. "KPMG is a prime example of this, not only remaining Downtown, but serving as a catalyst for Craig Hall's new project that will become an icon in the Arts District and further enhance the tax base."

In keeping with KPMG's Living Green initiative, the firm plans to minimize its environmental footprint through the use of sustainable construction practices and materials, and natural lighting and other measures to increase the energy efficiency of its new space. Hall Financial Group is likewise committed to the environment and has taken the necessary steps to have the new building pre-certified LEED Gold, a designation granted by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) based upon the environmental standards incorporated in the overall structure.

"We could not ask for a better partner than KPMG to kick-start our Hall Arts office building," said Craig Hall, chairman and founder of Hall Financial Group. "To share common ideals as well as commitments to service, to the arts, and to the environment with KPMG as our lead tenant will help set the tone for the building and for the entire development. It has been an honor to get to know and work with Manny Fernandez and his team at KPMG over these past several months. We look forward to the day we can welcome them to their new Hall Arts home and the start of another 100 great years in Dallas."

KPMG's new Dallas office will be home base for some 1,300 firm professionals. When they are not busy serving clients, many firm partners and employees serve as officers, directors, and volunteers for local organizations such as the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts Circle Ten Council, Junior Achievement, Junior League, March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House, The Senior Source and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.  In addition, the KPMG Family for Literacy program has donated about 2,500 new books to area children in the past five years.

"We are thrilled that KPMG has joined the ranks of significant companies who have made the recent decision to remain in, or move to, Downtown Dallas," said John F. Crawford, President & CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI).  "KPMG has been a long-standing member of DDI and a leader in the Dallas community, so this commitment is particularly important to us as they serve as the lead tenant for Craig Hall's new prestigious building in the world's largest urban Arts District."

Jones Lang LaSalle's International Managing Director Carl Ewert and Senior Associate Stephen Holley negotiated the lease transaction on behalf of KPMG with Hall Financial Group's Director of Leasing, Kim Vincent Butler. The building was designed by Eddie Abeyta, Principal with HKS, Inc.; Turner Construction will serve as the base building general contractor.

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's member firms have 152,000 professionals, including more than 8,600 partners, in 156 countries.

About Hall Financial Group
Founded in 1968, Hall Financial Group is owned by Craig Hall and family. Diversified holdings include active operations in commercial real estate development, ownership and management; software application development; structured finance lending for real estate and other areas; vineyards and wineries; and oil and gas. For more information, visit www.hallfinancial.com.

SOURCE KPMG LLP