Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Seneca One Tower will soon have another new tenant.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will move into the downtown building next spring, leaving its location on West Genesee Street in downtown Buffalo.
Highmark says the move is part of its efforts to "re-calibrate its office space, with room to grow its hybrid workforce, and continue its long-standing commitment to the City of Buffalo. The move, corporate executives say, re-commits the company to the central business district by re-locating its workforce closer to downtown small businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops and pharmacies."
"Moving to a more adaptive office space in Seneca One is the best way to support our team members, so they can support our customers," said Dr. Michael Edbauer, President, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York. "As part of our commitment to the community, it is important that we remain in the City of Buffalo, with amenities that will attract and help retain our nearly 1,400 local team members to the downtown core."
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been headquartered in Buffalo since it was founded in 1936. It previously occupied offices at 374 Delaware Ave. (1936-1942), 888 Delaware Ave (1942-1950), 298 Main St. (1950-1987), 1901 Main St. (1988-2007) before its current location at 257 West Genesee St. opened as part of a Brownfield Cleanup project in 2007.
In announcing the change of address, Highmark notes the move will also allow the health plan to reduce administrative expenses and operate more efficiently on behalf of the customers it serves. "This move helps us continue to contribute to building the city's economic and cultural resurgence, and we are excited to work alongside likewise community-focused and influential organizations like M&T Bank, 43 North, Odoo and Serendipity Labs," added Edbauer. "We are not 'downsizing,' but adapting to the new post-COVID workplace realities." He adds this will also the health plan to reduce administrative expenses and operate more efficiently.
The move brings the health plan closer to some of its major community investments and relationships in the city's "Knowledge Corridor," executives say.
