The new headquarters of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce features a two-story section with two nicknames.

Leaders of the group call it both a “beacon for business” and a “tower for tourism” to reflect the organization’s dual roles.

The tower is a “showplace element” drawing attention to the $1 million facility in downtown Lexington, chamber chairman Mike Flack said.

“This is going to be a new landmark,” he said.

The tower’s windows will be lit at night to call attention to the building in the 300 block of West Main Street.

Rockers on its front porch will be available for newcomers to relax on while gathering information about commercial and recreational opportunities in the area.

Plans call for the seven-member staff to move in to the new headquarters next week, with it opening to the public Oct. 22.

The 7,000-square-foot facility replaces a much smaller office on South Lake Drive that was “nondescript, out of the way,” Flack said.

Chamber leaders settled on a downtown location as part of an effort to help revive the center of town.

The new home fulfills a decade-old dream of chamber leaders for a facility symbolizing their goal of being a bigger player in both business and political circles.

“This is a giant leap for us,” chamber president Randy Halfacre said.

So far, the group’s 930 members have chipped in slightly more than $600,000 for the project as part of an effort to pay it off in five years.

Halfacre, who also is the town mayor, said he learned a lot about the impact of community development standards during the building process. He said he has no major complaints about the requirements but said his experience may produce suggestions for unspecified tweaks.

Reach Flach at (803) 771-8483.