Walter Energy signs Galleria lease

Birmingham Business Journal - by Lauren B. Cooper Staff
Monday, January 25, 2010, 5:00pm CST

Walter Energy said it's official - Galleria Tower at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover will be its new Birmingham headquarters.

The company has signed a lease to occupy the top two floors of the building, where it plans to house about 100 employees, said a news release.

The new location is expected to open in the second quarter of this year.

Tampa, Fla.-based Walter announced last year it would move its headquarters to the Magic City to be closer to its mining operations, all located in Central Alabama. In late 2009 it was reported the company had signed a letter of intent with Galleria Tower management.

Birmingham's Harbert Realty Services represented the natural resources company in its search for a new home base.

"The Galleria Tower offers excellent interstate access to all of our Alabama locations and the area has many amenities to serve our employees," said Victor P. Patrick, CEO of Walter Energy. "We look forward to starting this next chapter in our company's long and proud history as the Birmingham area's newest corporate citizen."