CHARLOTTE, N.C. — MetLife will host the grand opening of its new retail headquarters next week in Ballantyne Corporate Park.
What started as secret project code-named "Magellan" is now a reality.
MetLife's head global designer from New York has been calling Charlotte home for weeks as the new headquarters comes online.
The open office concept is a first for MetLife, with few walls to create what they call "neighborhoods" and "clubs" where people can interact.
Employees were sourced locally with 700 out of the 900 people working there hired from Charlotte.
MetLife is expected to bring more business to the area, as well.
"Employees get takeout on their way to work or have a meeting before they go in," said Veronica Jordan, Broken Egg Café. "Our lunch business has doubled since they came."
The new offices grand opening is next Thursday with Gov. Pat McCrory and other dignitaries coming to Ballantyne.
The MetLife blimp will be over Charlotte during the grand opening.
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