Area Development
UniSource Energy of Tucson, Arizona broke ground yesterday on its new headquarters. The nine-story building has 170,000 square feet of office space that will accommodate Tucson Electric Power's more than 425 employees. The structure also features 11,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, a conference center, meeting rooms, and approximately 500 parking spaces. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2011.

"We're proud to be laying a new foundation for our headquarters in the heart of downtown Tucson where TEP got its start more than a century ago," said UniSource Chairman, President, and CEO Paul Bonavia. "This new building will help us work together more efficiently and effectively while showcasing the benefits of sustainable, energy-efficient design."

The building's exterior will be covered with high-efficiency glass. It will also use energy-saving lights and HVAC systems. To hydrate the surrounding landscaping, it will utilize a rainwater harvesting system to recycle water. The company plans to seek LEED Certification for the building.