IBM Tops Off $30.5M Technology Center in Downtown Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, LA. — IBM has topped off its new nine-floor technology center under construction in downtown Baton Rouge that will cost $30.5 million to develop. The technology center, which will reportedly create 800 jobs, is part of a $55 million urban development project that will also feature 525 Lafayette, a 10-story residential tower. Commercial Properties Realty Trust, a REIT, is building the urban development project and Wilbur Marvin Foundation will own it. The property is scheduled for completion in May 2015. The topping off ceremony was attended by Gov. Bobby Jindal, IBM vice president Tim McLachlan, Baton Rouge Area Foundation president and CEO John Davies and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) secretary Stephen Moret. LED offered IBM a performance-based incentive package that includes grants totaling $29.5 million over 12 years.