Just a few short months ago, REI was preparing to move into its new headquarters building in Bellevue, Wash.
The facility, which focused on blending inside space with outdoors space, featured courtyards, bridges, open park space, large operable windows and garage doors, and reclaimed wood all meant to promote a healthy lifestyle for employees.
But now, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, REI Co-op has decided to sell its new, unused headquarters to Facebook for $390 million as the company shifts to a more distributed work model. The future “headquarters” will no longer be in a single location, instead spanning multiple satellite locations across the region as the company leans into remote working as a more engrained, supported, and normalized model for headquarters employees, according to a release from the company.
Both REI and Facebook will also donate 1$ million to the Eastrail, a 42-mile trail that the co-op was helping to develop over the last four years. The trail will connect the communities and businesses of King County’s Eastside through access to transit alternatives, employee hubs, and green space.
The build team for the HQ included NBBJ (architect), GGN (landscape architect), KPFF (structural engineer), and JMJ (civil engineer).
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Oct 9, 2020
One of the few Class A office buildings in New York’s East Harlem should start construction early next year
Big floor plates will accommodate tenant customization.
Office Buildings | Oct 8, 2020
New Florida office property is designed for a post-Covid-19 world
Chesterfield is developing the project.
Office Buildings | Sep 4, 2020
The office building of the future should be an essential part of its community
When the dust settles, the office is going to look and feel like a different place than the one we left in March.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
Video: 5 building sectors to watch amid COVID-19
RCLCO's Brad Hunter reveals the winners and non-winners of the U.S. real estate market during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus | Jul 20, 2020
Student housing amid the pandemic, infection control in buildings, and future airport design on "The Weekly"
Experts from Core Spaces, Bala Consulting Engineers, and Populous were interviewed in the July 23 streaming program from Horizon TV.
Coronavirus | Jul 10, 2020
HOK, Cushman & Wakefield, and HMC Architects hold sway on July 16 "The Weekly"
“The Weekly,” a new streaming program for the commercial design and construction industry, to feature experts from HOK, Cushman & Wakefield, and HMC Architects. Tune in July 16 for insight on social media and interior design, the future of the workplace, and healthcare design after COVID-19.
Office Buildings | Jul 9, 2020
Sydney will be home to the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower
SHoP Architects, in collaboration with BVN, is designing the project.
Office Buildings | Jun 25, 2020
New HQ for Chinese tech supplier will feature gardens on every floor
NBBJ’s spiral design maximizes worker exposure to the green spaces.