PreSonus groundbreaking
On August 22, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc., hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new high-tech headquarters and research facility. Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, led the list of guests of honor, attending in recognition of PreSonus’ contributions to the state and local economy. A manufacturer of digital and analog hardware and integrated software systems for the professional audio market, PreSonus has expanded from 49 employees in 2009 to more than 130 employees worldwide, including the 80 full-time employees who are overflowing its current offices on Florida Blvd. According to PreSonus CEO Jim Mack, the company grew its revenues by more than 50 percent last year and is slated to enter new product categories to continue its growth.
Designed by local architects Ritter Maher, LLC, and developed by Moniotte Investments, the new 44,000-square-foot building—located at 19151 Highland Rd.—will cost approximately $8.3 million, including land and development. Completion is expected in the late summer of 2013. It will easily accommodate at least 125 employees—crucial because PreSonus is continuing to grow and hire—and offers many amenities that are not available in the company’s current space.
Among the unique features of this building will be a specialized high-tech recording studio/R&D space that is being custom designed for PreSonus’ engineering and testing teams by the Walters-Storyk Design Group of Highland NY. The 2,500-square-foot studio will feature a control room, a 500-square-foot live-sound room, two isolation rooms, a video-production suite and five test labs, as well as a separate 1,500-square-foot live-sound room.
PreSonus’ rapid growth, local hiring and emphasis on digital engineering qualified it for LED Digital Interactive Media and Software Development tax credits. This program supports the creation of quality digital-engineering jobs that stay in the Baton Rouge community.