United Technologies Breaks Ground on New UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings in Palm Beach Gardens

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL — The world's largest provider of building technologies today held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its state-of-the-art innovation and technology experience center and building showcase. Designed to provide visitors a new way to interact with current and emerging building technologies, the new UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings will also serve as the global corporate headquarters for UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a $17-billion business with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide.

"Every day our employees are taking challenges that some might deem impossible and are building possible through their innovative solutions," said Bob McDonough, President, UTC Climate, Controls & Security. "Today, we move one step closer to delivering a first-of-its-kind destination for both the global building community and our neighbors right here in Palm Beach County. This center will serve as a living showcase, demonstrating the latest building technology and pioneering new concepts that will help our customers meet their needs efficiently, sustainably and intelligently."

Located on the I-95 corridor and in proximity to three major international airports, the Palm Beach Gardens location is easily accessible for visiting global customers. In addition to featuring products, integrated systems and interactive displays from UTC brands such as Carrier, Otis, Automated Logic, Chubb, Edwards, Kidde and Lenel, the building will also serve as a high-tech, modern workspace for UTC employees, including engineering, product development and other functions, as well as members of the Otis Americas regional headquarters team.

To commemorate the groundbreaking, UTC Climate, Controls & Security introduced Operation Save a Life to Palm Beach County. A lifesaving public service campaign designed to educate consumers and raise awareness about the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning; Operation Save a Life delivers smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to at-risk residents in the community. Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers, and a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, will donate 3,000 of its 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms and 500 carbon monoxide alarms. The same solutions that will be installed in homes by local fire departments throughout Palm Beach County will also be on display within the UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings.

In addition to the innovative technologies to be showcased, the 224,000-square-foot facility, slated to open in 2017, will feature advanced, environmentally responsible building systems and materials. Developed to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Platinum standard, it will be both intelligent and sustainable.