(Milwaukee)  -- MillerCoors announced today that it has signed a 15-year lease agreement for nearly 130,000 square feet of office space for its new headquarters location at 250 S. Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago.  

On July 15, 2008, following the closing of the transaction to combine the U.S. and Puerto Rico operations of Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company, the newly formed MillerCoors selected Chicago as a neutral location based on a desire to reflect balance between its legacy companies.

MillerCoors selected the West Loop hi-rise because of its dynamic environment for employees and visitors, green space, surrounding amenities and access to public transportation, including the convenient Amtrak access to Milwaukee via Union Station -- a major positive in selecting the location.

MillerCoors Chief Executive Officer Leo Kiely said the new location provides a unique opportunity to establish MillerCoors identity as a beer company in downtown Chicago.

“We are a beer company and you’ll know that as soon as you walk through the doors of our Chicago headquarters,” said Kiely. “The offices will showcase our brands and create a work environment that inspires our employees’ passion for beer.” 

Kiely also thanked Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich for their incentive assistance on the headquarters relocation.

MillerCoors will be the largest tenant in the building housing nearly 400 employees on eight floors. The headquarters will house a majority of MillerCoors senior executives, as well as Marketing, Human Resources, Legal, Finance, IT and Communications divisions.

Chicago-based architecture and interior design firm VOA has been selected for the interior design and construction of the headquarters. VOA has extensive experience in designing and building corporate headquarters and offices, hotels and hospitality related projects and municipal and transportation related structures.

As part of the project, VOA will develop sustainable and environmentally responsible designs, given MillerCoors corporate-wide commitment to sustainable development.

MillerCoors was assisted by Jones Lang LaSalle in the headquarters relocation search.

The new headquarters will be ready for occupancy in June 2009 and will join Milwaukee, WI and Golden, CO as one of MillerCoors three major business locations. MillerCoors will continue to maintain significant operations in Milwaukee and Golden and plans to make major investments in both breweries, as well as in civic, cultural and sports sponsorships throughout Wisconsin and Colorado.

“Milwaukee will always be the home of Miller beer, and Golden will always be the home of Coors beer,” said Kiely.

About MillerCoors

Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers.  MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment.  Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment.  MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Original Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light.  The company also imports Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages.  MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company.  MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S.,as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10^th  Street. Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth.  MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact.  MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.