Microgaming has officially opened its new purpose built HQ, named Sixty Two, on the Isle of Man adjacent to its existing office.
Microgaming commenced construction on the new office in April 2015, and just over two years later the company’s building, named Sixty Two, has opened.
The 5-storey HQ houses over 100 employees, with a unique sky bridge joining the new and existing building, creating a campus for the company. The new building features a demo wall to showcase games and awards, a legends wall honouring the longest-serving members of the team and a periscope showing a 360-degree view of Douglas, Isle of Man.
Microgaming claims Sixty Two was designed with employees front of mind to foster a culture of collaboration and communication with 16 meeting rooms, hot desks, phone booths and numerous break-out areas on every floor. The entire fourth floor of the HQ is a communal area, featuring a canteen, coffee shop, darts board, pool tables, a poker table, table tennis table and a library for staff to take time out, away from their desks. The design also focused on staff wellbeing with the provision of an in-house gym, a treatment room and a spacious studio to host weekly fitness classes, in addition to a rooftop garden offering views of the island.
John Coleman, CFO of Microgaming, commented: “Following a number of years of hard work and commitment, it’s incredibly satisfying to see Sixty Two open. A lot of time was spent understanding the needs and wants of our employees so that a building could be designed specifically with them in mind. All involved, including staff and suppliers, should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved – I can’t thank them enough.”
Microgaming has worked closely with BREEAM, the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings, to ensure the office is environmentally friendly. The 45,000 square feet office is one of the first on the Isle of Man to achieve the BREEAM rating of Excellent, reflecting the company’s strong commitment to sustainability.
The second office on the island allows for the rapid expansion of Microgaming and Derivco Isle of Man, with overall staff numbers sitting at 231 to date.
Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, adds: “It’s incredible to think that when we set up Microgaming on the island back in 2001 there were just six staff. Now we are a campus in the heart of Douglas, with two large offices, and best of all they are connected by a sky bridge, which was a must for me! It’s an exciting new chapter for Microgaming and I’m immensely proud of what we achieved in our home.”
Microgaming claims it was intent on using Manx-based businesses and workforce wherever possible, including Auldyn Construction Limited, Bell Burton Associates, Curtins, March Consultants Limited and SMS (IOM) Ltd. In addition, local architects, Savage & Chadwick took the lead role in the design of the building and interior furnishings were curated by Claire Coleman who also designed bespoke installations which, with the exception of the reception table, were all been manufactured locally by Macro Metal. Internal graphics throughout the building, including the Culture Ambassador wall, illuminated signage, in addition to the bubble gum machine were produced by The Hive and installed by Vivid Ltd.
