BUFFALO (WKBW) — Developer Douglas Jemal has added a global tech company as the newest tenant at Seneca One Tower. Odoo, a business software startup based in Belgium, has agreed to terms with Douglas Development on a lease to establish an East Coast headquarters in Buffalo’s tallest building.
Odoo plans to take over a full floor of Seneca One in the early summer of 2020. The goal is to hire 300 employees to work in Buffalo over the next few years. Recruitment efforts have already begun in Western New York.
“We are super excited about what is happening at Seneca One” said Nicholas Kosinski, Director of U.S. East operations for Odoo. Kosinski, a Williamsville native, pointed to Buffalo's business community as a difference maker in the deal. “Everyone is working together towards this common goal of trying to make this city an economic and tech hub. Seeing all these people cooperating and helping each other is something special”
"I think it's a great day for the city. In lieu of what is going on around the world a global tech company made a commitment to come to Buffalo." said Douglas Jemal. "They came from another part of the country at a time where you can go anywhere. The vacancies that are going to be around the country after COVID-19. You could pick where you want to be. They committed to Buffalo."
“Odoo is exactly the type of best-in-class tech company we have been working to add at Seneca One,.” said Paul Millstein of Douglas Development. “To attract an already successful out-of-town company that believes it can continue to grow in Buffalo speaks volumes,” Millstein added.
Odoo provides business management software that is designed for small to medium size businesses and employs more than 900 people across the globe. Founded in 2005, Odoo already has offices in San Francisco, Belgium, Luxembourg, India, Mexico City and Hong Kong.
Odoo will join 43 North and M&T Bank as tenants in the 38-story skyscraper.
43 North moved employees and portfolio companies into renovated space on the 24th floor in February. M&T Bank plans to move more than 1,000 employees to Seneca One once construction of M&T’s new tech hub is completed.
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the $150 million redevelopment of the tower by Douglas Development in March, but construction is expected to resume as planned when Governor Andrew Cuomo lifts his executive order on non-essential construction projects.
