MetLife, Inc., a global life insurance and employee benefits company, began construction on its Cary, North Carolina, global technology hub in the state’s Research Triangle area.

The firm said its newest hub will “house infrastructure that enables MetLife to deliver world-class service to its customers. MetLife’s entry into the Research Triangle area, coupled with its new U.S. retail headquarters in Charlotte, represents a $125.5 million investment in North Carolina. “

The Cary campus will consist of 427,000 square feet in two 213,500 square foot office buildings with structured parking. The buildings will be situated on 26.5 acres fronting the 520-acre Lake Crabtree, which is adjacent to I-40 and the nearby Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In addition, the campus will feature sprawling outside space including a great lawn, amphitheater, patio and places to engage in activities such as basketball and volleyball. Construction on MetLife’s new technology hub is slated for completion in 2015.

“Our investment in North Carolina underscores our commitment to using technology to deliver a world-class customer experience” said Steven A. Kandarian, Chairman, President and CEO, MetLife said.

Gov. Pat McCrory said “MetLife is a strong corporate partner to add to the Triangle’s expanding tech-sector and push for continued economic growth of our state.” In March, Governor McCrory announced that MetLife intends to create 2,600 jobs in North Carolina by the end of 2015, the largest jobs announcement in recent state history.

MetLife is dedicated to recruiting world-class talent and is actively hiring a diverse, global and highly skilled workforce. Over the next 18 months there will be more than 1,000 positions open across various functions including engineering, development, app maintenance, IT risk and security and tech support, MetLife said.

Marty Lippert, EVP and Head of GTO, MetLife said “we are committed to establishing a best-in-class technology hub grounded in collaboration, talent and innovation, and strive to be the employer of choice for the dynamic, forward-thinking workforce in the Triangle area.”

The hub is being developed by Highwoods Properties on existing Highwoods-owned land. Headquartered in Raleigh, Highwoods is a leading real estate investment trust that provides leasing, management, development and construction for its properties and for third parties.