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Merged BB&T-SunTrust bank to occupy most of Hearst Tower for HQ

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The proposed merger between BB&T and SunTrust has selected Hearst Tower for its Charlotte headquarters.

The combined bank will lease 561,000 square feet at the North Tryon office tower. Its lease agreement includes a 15-year term at the 970,000-square-foot building in uptown, ultimately backfilling what is currently office space for Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), as well as an option to buy the tower from Cousins.

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The space could house up to 2,000 people in the future, the bank said.

Winston-Salem-based BB&T Corp. and SunTrust Banks Inc. out of Atlanta are expected to merge later this year, a deal valued at $66 billion that would create one of the nation’s largest banks. It will be based in Charlotte.

[ALSO READ: SunTrust shareholder sues to block $66B merger with BB&T]

“We’re excited because we really think we can redefine the client experience and really create a meaningful change in the community. This is all about creating a smaller and easier client experience by really combining technology and the human connection, and thereby creating a high level of trust,” said BB&T Chief Executive Kelly King.

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