Jason Holuby, Principal at Frankfurt Short Bruza, talks about plans for the new Choctaw Nation Headquarters.
DURANT — Construction on a new 500,000-square-foot headquarters for the Choctaw Nation is set to begin in March.
“This is a tribal legacy project for the Choctaw Nation and its citizens,” Chief Gary Batton said. “We’ve waited a long time to see the beginning of this construction, which will bring much more efficient delivery of services for tribal members. This whole project represents the future of the Nation and the progress we have made as a people.”
The new five-story, facility of brick, stone and glass will include a conference center. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2017.
Oklahoma City-based architecture and engineering firm FSB designed a new campus for the tribe on about 80 acres the tribe owns north of the Choctaw Casino and Resort near U.S. 75 in Durant.
“Their vision for the project was to incorporate the tribe’s history where they are now and also where they see the tribe going in the future,” said Jason Holuby, project lead for FSB.
About 50 FSB staff members who worked on designing the Choctaw project spent a day attending a cultural immersion course in Durant to learn about the tribe’s history and beliefs. FSB’s resulting design for the headquarters incorporate’s many tribal symbols, such as a decorative diamond pattern that is prominent on the facade of the new main building.
About 75 different tribal business units and programs are expected to move into the new building when it is completed, consolidating the tribe’s offices that are now spread across Durant. The tribe has been spread out across roughly 30 leased properties for the past few years, and the new campus will help consolidate services for tribal members in one place, Holuby said. The building will also showcase culturally significant artwork and symbolism. In addition to the main building, the complex will include a data center, conference center with cafeteria, and a 765-space parking garage.
The landscaped ground of the Choctaw’s campus will include running trails, and a pond among other outdoor features.
About 900 employees will be moving into the new headquarters building.
The tribal headquarters will cost approximately $219 million.
