Richardson IQ Headquarters officially opens as 'global influencer of technology and innovation'

Richardson opened its Innovation Quarter Headquarters at 1302 E. Collins Blvd. on Sept. 14. The headquarters is a partnership between the city and The University of Texas at Dallas in the 1,200-acre industrial area east of Central Expressway. The IQ is an in-depth, city-led revitalization effort in the former Telecom Corridor of Richardson.

“Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to bridge interest in the Richardson IQ, the premier tech hub in Texas,” Richardson City Manager Don Magner said. “For the past six years, the city has partnered with the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the property owners within these 1,200 acres to establish a vision for the area."

Magner said the implementation of the IQ headquarters will help establish the IQ’s focus on "public and private investment, business cultivation and support the creation of an innovation ecosystem.”

Officials from both the city of Richardson and UT Dallas attended a special ceremony for the grand opening. Richardson has already established city offices at the headquarters, while UT Dallas is expected to fully move in around December, according to UTD staff.

"Everything that you have is much more than a city or than the North Texas region," Mayor Paul Voelker said. "The vision we have here is that we will be a global influencer of technology and innovation, which is big in Richardson."

Once fully open, the headquarters is expected to include five new research centers and an extension of its Venture Development Center. UT Dallas President Richard Benson said the collaboration between UT Dallas and the city will focus on forward thinking solutions through high growth.

“Collaborations that will be nurtured here are the lifeblood of innovation,” Benson said. “Smaller and mid-sized firms, whether in the field of aerospace defense technology, financial services or next generation communications, can look to the IQ as a resource.”

Richardson Director of Communications Greg Sowell said the headquarters will help temporarily house several city facilities that were impacted by the city hall fire.