GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES OPENING OF EF EDUCATION EXPANDED NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS
Expanded Headquarters Campus Will Host More Than 1,000 Employees, Double Company’s Cambridge Campus and Bring New Momentum to the Development of North Point Park.
CAMBRIDGE—Thursday, October 16, 2014—Governor Deval Patrick today joined state and local officials and EF Education First (EF) staff and organizational leadership to celebrate the opening of EF’s expanded headquarters in Cambridge. Headquartered in Massachusetts, EF has grown significantly as a world-wide leader in educational travel and language training, with nearly 1,000 employees in Massachusetts.
“Our Administration’s commitment to education, innovation and infrastructure are the keys to our continued economic success in Massachusetts,” said Governor Patrick. “EF Education First understands the importance of this successful strategy, and I am thrilled they have chosen the Commonwealth as the place for their continued expansion.”
EF’s newly constructed space in Cambridge is a $125 million project that consists of 230,000 square feet of office space and 31,000 square feet of public space in the company’s ground floor. The new facility is built on land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, awarded through a competitive bidding process. As part of the expansion, EF has agreed to maintain and make improvements to portions of North Point Park, a public park overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. EF has already filled 200 of the 400 new jobs that EF committed to creating following the 2012 groundbreaking.
“We are honored to have played a small part in the remarkable public-private partnership that has transformed North Point into a vibrant place to live, work, and play,” said EF Education North America CEO Edward Hult. “With new public parks, pedestrian connectivity, and billions of dollars in development activity happening on both sides of the River, it’s clear that what was once referred to as ‘the lost ½-mile of the Charles’ has been found.”
“EF Education First’s expansion in Cambridge is not only generating additional employment opportunities, it is also increasing local access to its many educational programs,” said Congressman Michael Capuano. “With cultural exchanges and classrooms all over the world, EF Education First helps students learn new languages and experience other countries. I welcome the opening of their North American headquarters.”
EF has built a global network of 16,000 full time staff, 16,00 part-time teachers, 5,000 full-time faculty and 500 schools and offices in over 52 countries. EF services has helped over 15 million people learn a new language, travel abroad or earn an academic degree.
The 10-story EF headquarters includes up to 16 different flexible workspaces on every floor and also features 31,000-square-feet of public space on the ground and mezzanine floors, a 14,000-square-foot restaurant with outdoor seating, staff amenities including a bike room, Hubway Station, private showers, a salon and fitness center, which will open in 2015. The development features sustainable design elements including rain gardens, gray water recycling and light harvesting.
"EF Education First provides our students with unique opportunities to travel the globe affordably and with a focus on learning," said Secretary of Education Matthew Malone. "We are fortunate to have EF Education First as a committed educational partner and neighbor."
“Fostering this type of growth and infrastructure is evidence of how Massachusetts is a leader in economic development.” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki.
“As one of the top employers in Cambridge, EF has been an outstanding community partner and a steadfast supporter of Cambridge based organizations since they first located to our city. I couldn’t be more pleased that they have chosen to reinvest in our community and add to the growth and vitality of East Cambridge,” said Cambridge Mayor David Maher. “Cambridge is incredibly fortunate to host a company with the character and commitment of EF and we are excited be a part of their continuing evolution”.
“I am very excited and proud that EF Education First has chosen Cambridge as the site of their world headquarters,” said State Representative Tim Toomey. “The people at EF have shown themselves to be great community partners for a number of years, and are a key part of the transformation we have seen take place in the North Point area.”
