Richardson Properties of North Little Rock announced Thursday that 200 West, previously occupied by Bank of America, has been awarded a 15-year lease by the U.S. General Services Administration to house the Little Rock regional office of the Veterans Benefits Administration.
The lease encompasses 41,516 rentable-SF, and will bring more than 275 employees to downtown Little Rock’s business district, along with weekday visitors.
Formerly the historic Worthen Bank Building, 200 West has undergone extensive renovations since its purchase in 2022. The building was also recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“This lease marks a pivotal moment not only for our building but for the continued growth of downtown Little Rock,” Steve Tracy, Richardson’s vice president of real estate, said in a press release. “The Veterans Benefits Administration is an important addition, and we are honored to provide a space that serves those who serve our country.”
The deal, which took 18 months to finalize, was brokered by Tracy. The estimated date of occupancy is early 2026, with Clark Contractors of Little Rock overseeing the build-out and Allison + Partners Architects, a longtime tenant of 200 West, assisting with the design.
“This is an exciting achievement for the Richardson Properties’ team and downtown Little Rock,” Keith Richardson, owner of Richardson Properties, said in the release. “Securing the lease for the VBA is not only a testament to the restoration and enhancements we’ve made to this historic building, but also a major step forward in the revitalization of our city’s core. We’re thrilled to welcome the VBA to 200 West and look forward to the positive impact this will have on our community.”
The VBA helps veterans, service members and their families access VA benefits and services, including disability compensation, education benefits, life insurance, pensions and home loans. The current regional office is located at Fort Roots in North Little Rock.
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