The nine-story, 252,162-square-foot Bentonville Plaza at 609 S.W. Eighth St. is undergoing a “multimillion-dollar transformation” into a “modern workplace destination,” according to a Wednesday (Oct. 8) news release from those involved in the project.
The multi-tenant, class A office building that’s across from the former Walmart Home Office has been renamed Blume[1].
Amenities will include a pickleball court and fitness facilities with showers and lockers, golf simulator, shuffleboard, coffee and snack bar with beer and wine on tap, bike storage, conference rooms and lounge areas. A restaurant that has yet to be announced is planned to open on the first floor of the building.
The renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Fayetteville-based contractor Build OZK is completing the renovations. Bentonville-based BUF Studio is the architect, and Northwest Arkansas-based Lefler Teeter Designs is the designer. Cushman & Wakefield / Sage Partners will serve as Blume’s leasing and property management firm for the project, which is owned by Lefler Capital.
In December, Fayetteville asset management company Lefler Capital, led by T.J. Lefler, bought Bentonville Plaza for $38 million[2]. Lefler Capital develops and owns commercial properties, including multifamily, office, retail and warehouse spaces. The company owns about 30 properties valued at more than $250 million.
Sage Partners, with offices in Rogers and Little Rock, manages more than 6.5 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties across the state.
“Northwest Arkansas continues to attract world-class talent and companies, and Blume reflects the type of modern, community-driven workplace those businesses are seeking,” said Marshall Saviers, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield / Sage Partners. “We are proud to partner with Lefler Capital to reintroduce a landmark property and help shape the next chapter of Bentonville’s commercial landscape.”
Work to renovate the former Bentonville Plaza, which was built more than 20 years ago, also includes seeking Energy Star certification, upgraded LED lighting, water-efficient landscaping and EV charging stations. The building is adjacent to the 110-acre 8th Street Gateway Park that’s under construction and across from the former Walmart Home Office site at Eighth Street and Walton Boulevard.
In May[3], Tom Walton and Steuart Walton announced the former Walmart Home Office site would become a STEM-focused university as part of a mixed-use development. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. Tom Walton and Steuart Walton are the grandsons of Walmart founders Helen and Sam Walton.