Its new research and development center should be ready in 18 months. Another growing outfit is iGate Capital Corp., formerly Mastech, based in Oakdale. One of iGate's business units, Emplifi Consulting, is looking for 90,000 square feet of new office space, according to Oxford Realty Services' Bill Leone, who handles iGate's real estate needs. If we did not have the space available, they would go elsewhere. That raises another point about the commercial real estate market.
New blood is still rare.
In 1999, many of the big leases were signed by companies relocating their operations from one part of the region to another. NOVA Chemicals Corp., for example, decided to locate its new North American headquarters in Moon, consolidating employees from several different locations, including Monaca. Engineering firm VoestAlpine Industries made the decision to consolidate its Robinson and Strip District employees at Southpointe, the Washington County business park. Federated Services Corp. also moved some local workers to the North Hills, taking 99,000 square feet at the Pittsburgh Office and Research Park. The same trend is expected to continue in 2000.