Inman

Online travel giant relocates in Chicago

Transwestern Commercial Services represented Cendant’s TDS’ Consumer Travel Americas Unit, including the U.S. based Orbitz.com, CheapTickets.com and Lodging.com brands, in its relocation of its global operations to 145,000 square feet at Citigroup Center in Chicago.

The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

“In today’s competitive real estate market, we could have relocated anywhere and we considered numerous alternatives – but Chicago is our home,” said Mitch Truwit, president and CEO of the Global Online Consumer Travel, “It was instantly apparent, however, that Citigroup Center offered the most efficient office space, as well as high quality amenities and conveniences that directly benefit our people and our bottom line.”

Currently located on seven noncontiguous floors served by two different elevator banks at 200 South Wacker, Orbitz and other subsidiaries of Cendant Travel Distribution Network, will occupy the eighth, ninth and 10th floors at Citigroup Center, located at 500 West Madison St. The office space will help accommodate and better organize the rapid growth of the Orbitz organization, which, since its acquisition by Cendant TDS in November 2004, increased its Chicago-based employees from 400 to 800 personnel.

Citigroup Center is a 1.4 million-rentable-square-foot, class A office tower that features more than 45 shops and restaurants, integrated access to the METRA rail station, adjacency to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, full-service banking and ATM facilities, a messenger center, an executive parking garage, professional concierge and on-site leasing and management.

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