Credit union unveils high-tech expansion

TAMPA — Suncoast Credit Union employees have begun moving into the company’s new 107,000-square-foot administration building east of downtown Tampa.

Boasting more than 1,200 photovoltaic panels on the roof capable of generating 401.28 kilowatts of electricity at peak-power capacity, the $28 million building represents the first major brick-and-mortar expansion project under Suncoast President and CEO Kevin Johnson, who took the helm in October 2016.

With more than $9.2 billion in assets and 790,000 members, Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in Florida, according to a press release.

“We are excited and proud to open a new state-of-the-art building that provides an innovative and comfortable work environment for our people, while being good stewards of the environment and our neighborhood, as well as the communities we serve,” Johnson states in the release. “It’s about making a positive impact in everything that we do and watching the benefits trickle down to our valued members and the east Tampa area.” 

The new building, at 6536 E. Hillsborough Ave., is an expansion of the existing headquarters, which is across the street. Nicknamed Admin II, the three-story building will house more than 250 employees. In addition to the solar panel array, the building features a walking path and outdoor rocking chairs.

Holmes Hepner & Associates provided architectural services for the project, while the general contractor was Creative Contractors Inc. For more details about the Suncoast facility, check out the Business Observer's coverage of it in our Cool Construction issue.