Valley Bank welcomed public officials and members of its project team this week to unveil its new 120,000-square-foot headquarters on Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. — Courtesy: Valley
By Joshua Burd
Valley Bank has taken the wraps off its new 120,000-square-foot headquarters in Morristown, the product of a high-profile redevelopment in the heart of the downtown.
The Valley National Bancorp subsidiary revealed the space this week to a crowd that included public officials and members of the project team. Located on Speedwell Avenue, the building will house roughly 600 employees in what the lender described as modern, energy-efficient workplace that was designed to meet sustainability benchmarks, offering collaboration spaces and huddle rooms, access to modern technology, centralized business hubs and outdoor terraces that overlook Morristown.
SJP Properties developed the facility in partnership with Scotto Properties, with Gensler as the project’s architect. The building, which replaced a string of vacant structures across from the Hyatt Regency Morristown, allows employees to be a short walk from the Morristown Green, the downtown’s vast selection of shops, restaurants and cultural experiences and NJ Transit’s Midtown Direct line.
“Moving our headquarters to Morristown, a dynamic and evolving community, aligns well with the growth Valley has achieved from a small community bank to a regional bank, while maintaining our focus and commitment to being relationship-driven,” said Ira Robbins, Valley Bank’s CEO. “This location is ideal as it is near the train station and convenient to Newark Airport for our employees and clients. We are excited to become part of a community where many of our partner organizations are based.”
Valley has moved its front office team from its longtime home in Wayne. In detailing the space, the company pointed to the inclusion of Ethan and the Bean, a coffee shop whose founder, Pamela Donovan, was inspired by her son to provide a positive and empowering environment and create jobs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
According to Valley, the space reflects its ongoing commitment to building stronger communities. The café offers a full menu of beverages and bakery items prepared on the premises by the staff, while it will host events such as craft nights and art shows after hours.
“On behalf of the town of Morristown, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest valued business, Valley National Bank,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said. “This is the beginning of a partnership that will invigorate Morristown as a vibrant and thriving district. Our town’s rich heritage and strong sense of community make it an ideal setting for a company to prosper. We are thrilled to have Valley here and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for newcomers to live and work. Here’s to your continued success and growth in our town.”
Valley has immersed itself in the community as sponsors of several events including the Morristown Festival on the Green and the Morristown Festival of Books, according to a news release. Late last year, The United Way of Northern New Jersey recognized the new Valley headquarters with its Impact Award.
“In the few weeks we have been in Morristown, it already feels like home,” said Tom Iadanza, Valley Bank’s president. “Our employees are enjoying the vibrancy of the city and variety of food and shopping establishments. We appreciate the warm welcome from the people and leaders of Morristown.”
