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GREG DERR/The
Patriot Ledger
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| Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Chairman
Karl L. Briggs says his firm has made a commitment to stay in Quincy
Center. |
FACES IN
QUINCY
Karl L . Briggs
“This is
our home.”
Visitors to the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co. on Washington
Street step into a grand room with a high ceiling.
Just beyond, a wide, cherry wood staircase twists upward. Crown molding
and chair rails line walls throughout the building, maintaining an almost
colonial feel and character.
In the last decade, Quincy Mutual has invested about $15 million into
expanding and renovating its headquarters, most recently with a $4 million
addition occupied in September.
When the company was pressed for space in the early 1990s, officials
faced a decision: make a substantial economic commitment to Quincy Center,
or look elsewhere.
“My recollection was we asked our employees, ‘Would you like to have
us add onto this building or go to Crown Colony?’” said Karl L. Briggs,
the company’s chairman. “It was rather unanimous that they wanted to
stay here.”
In 1993, Quincy Mutual spent $11 million to build a three-floor addition,
renovate existing space and construct an underground parking garage.
The recent addition brings office space to 70,000 square feet.
About 220 people work in the Washington Street office where the company
writes insurance policies for automobiles, homes and commercial enterprises.
Quincy Center remains attractive to the company for many reasons. Its
location near an MBTA station gives employees transportation alternatives.
Staff can dash out to one of several area restaurants.
There are sentimental reasons, too. Quincy Mutual has operated in Quincy
Center since 1851.
“The other thing which you cannot overlook is the historic appeal,” President
K. Douglas Briggs said. “We’ve been here for a long, long time. This
is our home.”
The Briggs family has seen failed revitalization efforts and hope this
time is different.
“It protects our investment in the building,” said K. Douglas Briggs. “It
provides a robust and thriving environment for our employees. Whether
it’s nice restaurants or new residential areas, we really want a thriving
Quincy.”
- Karen Eschbacher
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