Bell Bank has entered into an agreement to purchase a 12-story building at 520 Main Ave. in Fargo, ND.

Bell Bank President and CEO Michael Solberg said Bell Bank plans to completely remodel the building beginning in 2022 and reopen it in late 2023. As Bell’s new corporate headquarters, the tower project will house approximately 300 employees, including many customer-facing professionals, plus Bell’s executive team and some administrative functions. Solberg said he and Bell’s leadership team envision a growing Bell Bank footprint in Fargo’s revitalized downtown area. He also expects Bell’s support teams to continue to fill locations including the bank’s current headquarters at 3100 13th Ave. S. in Fargo.

“We remain committed to keeping our headquarters here in Fargo, and our purchase of this major downtown space reflects that,” Solberg commented. “As we open new bank branches and mortgage offices in regions across the country, we are hiring people to support all of our teams and customers. This local expansion helps sustain our continued growth.”

Built in 1973, the 105,000-square-foot property includes two levels of parking below the building, as well as a drive-up banking structure.

Bell’s leaders plan to completely renovate the downtown building’s interior and exterior – including all-new lobby, teller line, customer service and office areas, reflective exterior surface and window cladding, a main entrance canopy, the addition of meeting and hospitality spaces, and outdoor patios.

Founded in 1966 as a single location in north Fargo, Bell Bank has grown to become one of the nation’s largest family- and employee-owned banks, with more than $10 billion in assets.