Lash Group opens in Kingsley North high-rise

The Lash Group is open for business.

The first wave of its 1,500 associates began moving in mid-March, but Monday marked the official grand opening for the health care services company at Kingsley North. Lash Group is the first opening that will include LPL Financial, a Courtyard by Marriott and other businesses near the I-77 and S.C. 160 interchange.

The five-story building also will serve about 500 remote associates, with many of the same business center and meeting room space travelers might typically expect from a hotel.

“Our design really is about our associates,” said Mike Obringer, chief operating officer. “But our associates extend beyond the building.”

The facility includes a 24-hour gym, exercise class room, cafe space and and outdoor eating area overlooking a small lake. It has “huddle rooms” and creative gathering spaces throughout, along with neighborhoods of 100 associates at a time.

“Everything is built around neighborhoods,” Obringer said.

The move to Fort Mill consolidates several previous spaces for Lash. The Fort Mill headquarters will be a focal point for the company that works with patients and medical services.

Lash has a 12-year lease in place and could expand.

“We have room to grow,” Obringer said. “We also have an option to grow on the complex.”

Lash leadership believes the combination of companies coming into Kingsley North will serve Fort Mill well, from keeping jobs in town to adding to the commercial tax base in Fort Mill. The large companies already committed could make Kingsley North a destination business site in the area.

“You want to see these companies coming in knowing they’re not just landing here,” Obringer said, “but they’re here to stay.”

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Lash Group opens in Kingsley North high-rise."