Shoe company Converse — maker of the iconic All-Star line of sneakers — is moving its world headquarters to Boston, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced today.
The press conference was held in the coatroom of The Parkman House, a city-owned mansion on Beacon Hill where Menino is living while he recovers from his two-month hospital stay.
“How am I feeling? I'm feeling great,” Menino said.
He should feel great, as he announced Converse – the shoe company made famous by basketball stars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – is relocating from North Andover to Boston.
“This is an all-star company, moving into an all-star city,” he said. “We are both classic, tried and true, both constantly evolving. We have strong histories, but we change, we grow, we reinvent ourselves all the time.”
The move is expected to bring 400 permanent jobs to Boston. Converse’s move is part of a $230 million dollar redevelopment of Lovejoy Wharf. The plans also include retail and residential space, a cafe-style restaurant and publicly accessible open waterfront space.
“If anybody goes by Lovejoy Wharf today, you’ll see a building that needs a lot of repair,” Menino said. “It’s in horrible condition. And watch what we do with it in the very near future.”
Converse plans to move in April 2015.
