Cingular makes its Bothell site permanent

Cingular Wireless this week purchased three of the 10 buildings in Bothell it was leasing through its acquisition of Redmond-based AT&T Wireless.

The three buildings have enough space for 1,300 employees, or less than half of the roughly 3,000 former AT&T Wireless personnel who now work there.

Since the merger between the two wireless heavyweights closed in late October, employees have been bracing for layoffs, but Cingular spokesman David Caouette said yesterday that the purchase is not an indication of the Atlanta-based company's plans.

"At this time, Cingular found it financially advantageous to purchase the three buildings and will continue to lease the remaining seven for flexibility," he said. "This reflects our continued strong commitment to the region."

Cingular has said repeatedly that it is committed to the Northwest. Immediately after the merger closed, it named Redmond as one of its four regional headquarters. AT&T Wireless had been based in buildings at Redmond Town Center and had information-technology facilities in Bothell.

Still, as the largest U.S. cellphone company, Cingular faces cutting about 10 percent of its 68,000 jobs in the next year as it combines the two companies.

Caouette declined to comment on possible layoffs in Bothell.

According to King County property records, Cingular purchased the Koll Center at 20020 North Creek Parkway for $134.3 million. The seller was listed as AFG Services.

A document calls the building the New Cingular Wireless Headquarters. Caouette said that name was misleading because Redmond, not Bothell, is considered the regional headquarters.

The three buildings combined have about 350,000 square feet and house a call center and a data center, Caouette said.

Tricia Duryee: 206-464-3283 or tduryee@seattletimes.com