Wawanesa has opened its new national headquarters in downtown Winnipeg.

The company has also announced a new $500,000 investment in the city’s downtown revitalization effort.

The 21-storey building in True North Square was purpose-built for Wawanesa. The 360,000-square-foot property contains workspace for 1,300 employees.

“This building proudly symbolizes Wawanesa’s transformation from small-town roots in rural Manitoba to a leading Canadian mutual insurance company,” said Jeff Goy, Wawanesa’s president and CEO, in a news release. “Wawanesa Insurance began in 1896 when 20 farmers formed an insurance company to meet their local needs. Today our operations span the country with over 1.6 million members, but our commitment to downtown Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba has never been stronger.”

The property was developed by True North Real Estate Development and designed by local firm Architecture49.

The location unites employees from many different Manitoba under one roof, said the company. The building was designed to LEED Gold standards.

Wawenesa said it will provide $450,000 over the next three years in support o the Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone’s environmental team, community clean up events, and the planting of seasonal flowers. The company also Wawanesa also made a $50,000 contribution to the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.

Pictured: True North Square

Image: True North Real Estate Development