Thrivent Breaks Ground on $80M Appleton Center
The Evergreen Operations Center is under construction on Evergreen Drive while a nearby segment of the Apple Creek Trail remains closed.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Thrivent Financial broke ground on an $80 million Evergreen Operations Center on Sept. 23 at 1505 E. Evergreen Drive in Appleton. Appleton Parks and Recreation announced in a Nov. 5 Facebook post that the Apple Creek Trail between Ballard Road and Meade Street is closed indefinitely due to construction in the development area.
Why it matters
The four-story, 155,000-square-foot building will accommodate Thrivent's 1,400 Appleton-area employees, adding a major office hub to the city. The trail closure affects residents who use the Apple Creek Trail while the Wilden Portfolio Park development continues.
Thrivent's Evergreen Operations Center carries an $80 million construction cost and spans 155,000 square feet over four stories for 1,400 Appleton-area employees. The Apple Creek Trail closure has no announced reopening date, and the city has not said when the segment will reopen.
The players
Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial is a Minneapolis-based financial services organization offering insurance, investments and retirement products to its members.
Appleton Parks and Recreation
Appleton Parks and Recreation is the city department that manages the city's parks, trails and recreational facilities.
The details
The Evergreen Operations Center sits at 1505 E. Evergreen Drive between Ballard and Meade and is part of Wilden Portfolio Park, a 580-acre subdivision that will include commercial and retail developments, public spaces and housing units. The trail closure was attributed to ongoing construction in the Thrivent development area.
Timeline
Sept. 23: Thrivent broke ground on the Evergreen Operations Center.
Nov. 5: Appleton Parks and Recreation announced the indefinite closure of the Apple Creek Trail.
Market Landscape
The Evergreen Operations Center is an early office anchor within Wilden Portfolio Park, a 580-acre subdivision planned with commercial, retail, public space and housing. Its placement signals how the subdivision is intended to bring a major employer alongside mixed-use growth in east Appleton.
Residents who use the Apple Creek Trail between Ballard Road and Meade Street will need alternate routes while the closure remains in place. Appleton-area workers at Thrivent will eventually have a new 155,000-square-foot office base.
The takeaway
Projects like Wilden Portfolio Park often bring trail and road disruptions alongside long-term employment and housing gains. Local trail users should check Appleton Parks and Recreation updates for reopening timelines.
Further reading
Track other local business moves in Openings & Closings across the Appleton area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Post-Crescent.
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