By 1808Delaware
A short move with long-term implications is underway for one of Central Ohio’s best-known homebuilders. Rockford Homes is relocating its headquarters from Columbus to Westerville, planting its flag in the Westar business district with a planned opening in May 2026. The move also keeps the company firmly rooted in Delaware County, a detail that matters both symbolically and strategically given where much of its building activity is concentrated.
The shift is only about three miles on the map, but it reflects a deliberate choice to stay close to the communities Rockford Homes serves while aligning more closely with a city focused on managed growth and business retention.
From Polaris to Westar
Rockford Homes will move from its current offices at 999 Polaris Parkway near Polaris Fashion Place to 440 Polaris Parkway in Westerville. The new headquarters will be located in the Westar III building, which the company is purchasing for $12.7 million.
Chief Executive Officer Bob Yoakam said the company is looking forward to becoming part of the Westerville community. By relocating within Delaware County rather than crossing county lines, the company avoids disrupting existing regional ties while signaling confidence in the county’s long-term economic direction.
Why Westar Matters
Westar Place has quietly become one of Westerville’s most important economic assets. Marketed as a Class A+ business district, it combines traditional office space with walkable paths, modern utilities including municipal electric service, and quick access to a highly educated workforce.
The district also sits next to areas slated for continued growth, including the East of Africa Road corridor, where office, flex, and commercial development is expanding. For a company like Rockford Homes, whose work is closely tied to residential growth patterns in Delaware County, the location is more than convenient. It is aligned with where the market is heading.
Inside the New Headquarters
Westar III itself is a substantial building. Constructed in 2005, the five-story, 144,300-square-foot office property sits on 9.26 acres. Typical floors measure just under 28,000 square feet, with 14-foot slab-to-slab heights that allow for flexible interior layouts.
Parking is generous, with 647 spaces and a ratio that exceeds many suburban office standards. Ongoing renovations are also part of the appeal. Plans include an updated lobby, a full fitness center, and a tenant lounge with conference space totaling nearly 2,800 square feet.
The Surrounding Scene
The immediate area offers the kind of everyday conveniences that matter to a headquarters staff. Restaurants such as Q2 Chinese Bistro are within walking distance. Hotels like the Renaissance Columbus are just down the road. Otterbein University is about 1.5 miles away, reinforcing the district’s connection to education and talent.
The site includes fiber optic connectivity, air conditioning, a courtyard, and outdoor seating, all set within a business district that has been steadily filling in rather than turning over.
A Company in Motion
The headquarters move comes at a moment of transition for Rockford Homes. The company has recently announced a new president and an expansion into the Dayton market, while continuing to position itself as a builder of higher-end homes designed to remain attainable within Central Ohio’s competitive housing market.
By keeping its headquarters in Delaware County, Rockford Homes maintains continuity while making a visible commitment to Westerville. For the city, landing the company reinforces the Westar district’s role as a place where established firms choose to invest for the long term rather than simply pass through.
Source, Photo: City of Westerville
