AUSTIN, TX - More has been revealed about H-E-B’s new Eastside Tech Hub, a first since its announcement of the project last fall.
Spanning 81,000 square feet and serving as the new headquarters for Favor Delivery, a wholly-owned subsidiary of H-E-B, this new tech hub will complement the retailer's existing Digital team in its San Antonio headquarters as it looks to become the “digital industry leader in Texas.”
“Having a shared space like this is crucial to both H-E-B Digital and Favor’s rapid growth,” said Jag Bath, H-E-B Chief Digital Officer and Favor Delivery CEO, in a company post. “The Eastside Tech Hub enables us to have a strong tech presence in both Austin and San Antonio, while fostering a better connection between our teams across the two cities.”
The two locations will collaborate so closely that the retailer will provide shuttle rides between Austin and San Antonio on Wi-Fi enabled buses throughout the work week.
The new tech hub will be a two-story, open office concept that offers a variety of dynamic work areas spread throughout the floor plan, including:
- open collaboration areas
- individual work spaces
- over 50 meeting rooms of varying sizes, equipped with advanced technology and video conferencing capabilities
- a coffee bar featuring local roasteries
- a lounge area
- a large events space
- a wellness center featuring a rock-climbing wall, curated fitness classes, bike parking, and showers
Outside of these offerings, H-E-B invested in both celebrating the unique identities of both entities as well as the heritage of Texas it holds dear.
To commemorate the opening of the Eastside Tech Hub, H-E-B and Favor said they will contribute $100,000 in charitable gifts to support hundreds of students in Austin and San Antonio via STEM-based summer camps and programs, such as Code2College in Central Texas, the Austin Prefreshman Engineering Program at Huston-Tillotson University, Video Game Camp at Austin Community College, and Youth Code Jam in San Antonio and Austin.
“As a digital retail leader, this dynamic workplace reflects our commitment to better serve our people and communities. Investing in our schools and children allows us to help build the next generation of technology innovators right here in Texas,” Bath said.
This commitment will be seen in the building’s design as well. Meeting rooms will be named after H-E-B brand products, famous personal assistants from popular culture—a nod to Favor’s Runners—and Texas landmarks and cities. Decorative accents, such as brick and tile sourced by D’Hanis Brick in San Antonio, handmade furniture from Marfa, and plants native to the Lone Star State, will be included.
To top it off, work by Texas-based makers and artists, including Will Bryant, R.F. Alvarez, and Cody Barber, will add finishing touches to the decor of the building.
Already hiring, H-E-B noted that while this latest addition will initially accommodate hundreds of Favor team members and H-E-B Digital Partners, it will also have room to grow as both entities continue to invest both in their growing teams and in driving digital innovation.
