The idea of Amazon’s new second headquarters, planned for Arlington, Va., is to connect the community.
Sure, doing business is the need that is driving the creation of the second headquarters campus of the mammoth retailer, but that campus is being planned with the surrounding community in mind, as well.
“We are looking to build an urban campus that will allow our employees to think creatively, to be a part of the surrounding community, and to remain connected to the region’s unique culture and environment,” writes John Schoettler, on Amazon’s blog. “As with our Seattle headquarters, we plan to invest in developing a new headquarters in Arlington that will grow alongside its neighbors, supporting local businesses, building new public spaces for all to enjoy, and integrating sustainable design features throughout our campus.”
See Also: Amazon will not build HQ2 in New York City
Last week, Amazon filed development plans with local officials, and the company also announced that the Amazon HQ2 is part of the Metropolitan Park site. That site is an urban renewal project in National Landing.
“The first phase of our ‘ground-up’ construction will see the redevelopment of a block of vacant warehouses into two new LEED Gold-certified buildings, new retail space for area businesses, and plenty of open space for the community to enjoy. These buildings are the first step to creating an urban campus where our future 25,000 employees and the local community can live, work and play,” Schoettler says.
The campus will include more than 2 million SF of LEED-certified office buildings, which will have outdoor terraces for employees. A day care center, plus 50,000 sf of shops and restaurants, will bring more of a community feel to the campus. A multipurpose one-acre park, plus easy bike access to the spot, will further enhance that community feel.
Related Stories
Building Team Awards | Jun 8, 2017
Raising the bar: Zurich North American Headquarters
Silver Award: Forgoing a typical center-core design, the Zurich North America Headquarters rises 11 stories across three stacked bars.
Office Buildings | Jun 8, 2017
Take a look at the plans for Google’s new 1 million-sf London campus
Heatherwick Studio and BIG are designing the 11-story building.
Building Team Awards | Jun 6, 2017
Nerves of steel: 150 North Riverside
Platinum Award: It took guts for a developer and its Building Team to take on a site others had shunned for most of a century.
Office Buildings | Jun 2, 2017
Strong brew: Heineken HQ spurs innovation through interaction [slideshow]
The open plan concept features a Heineken bar and multiple social zones.
Office Buildings | May 30, 2017
How tech companies are rethinking the high-rise workplace
Eight fresh ideas for the high-rise of the future, from NBBJ Design Partner Jonathan Ward.
| May 24, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Applying machine learning to building design, Daniel Davis, WeWork
Daniel Davis offers a glimpse into the world at WeWork, and how his team is rethinking workplace design with the help of machine learning tools.
High-rise Construction | May 23, 2017
Goettsch Partners to design three-building Optics Valley Center complex
The Chicago-based firm won a design competition to design the complex located in Wuhan, China.
Office Buildings | Apr 18, 2017
Heineken USA Headquarters redesign emphasizes employee interaction
An open plan with social hubs maximizes co-working and engagement.
Office Buildings | Apr 17, 2017
Vertical integration triggers growth for an L.A.-based office furniture provider
Customization and technology drive sales for Tangram Interiors.
Market Data | Apr 13, 2017
2016’s top 10 states for commercial development
Three new states creep into the top 10 while first and second place remain unchanged.