Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is searching for a new corporate headquarters after running out of space at its existing headquarters in White Plains.

The company is looking for 400,000 square feet in the region to accommodate its 1,085 local employees. That would nearly double the size of the current 205,000-square-foot headquarters at 1111 Westchester Ave. in White Plains.

Starwood will consider sites in Westchester County as well as Norwalk and Stamford, Conn., as sites for the headquarters, said spokeswoman K.C. Kavanagh. The company denied rumors that it might move to Orlando, Phoenix, Atlanta or another region.

"We absolutely do not intend to relocate to another part of the country," Kavanagh said. "We have determined that the metro-New York area is the appropriate market for a global hotel giant, especially one focused on innovation and attracting top talent."

Starwood, whose 850 hotels operate in 95 countries under Sheraton, Westin, Four Points and other brands, has been a major corporate tenant in White Plains since 1998. Profits surged at the company during the second quarter as Starwood benefited from a strong travel market around the world, rising room rates and robust occupancy.

Kavanagh said the company is happy in Westchester, but doesn't know if the county has adequate space to accommodate its growing needs. Starwood, whose local work force has more than doubled since 2003, expects to choose a new site during the next six to 12 months.

"Stamford and Norwalk are areas we have and will continue to explore," Kavanagh said. "In addition, there would be advantages to having a headquarters based near hotels that we operate, and we currently operate two hotels in Stamford and are looking at additional projects in Stamford and Norwalk."

Marsha Gordon, president and chief executive officer of the Business Council of Westchester, said she hopes that Starwood will remain in Westchester.

"Starwood has certainly been a great corporate citizen in Westchester and they have grown their business here," Gordon said. "I am sure that the commercial real estate community will do what they can to retain this very important business."

Sal Carrera, the county's director of economic development/real estate, declined comment through a representative at his office.

In addition to the headquarters in White Plains, Starwood leases an additional 69,000 square feet next door in the IBM building at 1133 Westchester Ave.

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