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
Sustainability | May 28, 2019
Carrier’s world headquarters in Florida goes green
The structure is the first commercial building in Florida to achieve LEED Platinum v4 Certification.
Office Buildings | May 14, 2019
Sail on, Royal Caribbean: HOK-designed headquarters celebrates cruise ship industry
The building’s design is inspired by the design of its fleet of cruise ships—with flowing lines.
Mixed-Use | May 2, 2019
A series of green bridges will connect these two towers in Shenzhen, China
Steven Holl Architects designed the project.
Office Buildings | May 2, 2019
HOK’s latest study takes a new look at tech workplaces
The report provides insight into the relative importance of such things as amenities and occupant health for recruiting and retaining workers.
Office Buildings | Apr 25, 2019
Study: Half of corporate and government offices offer wellness programs
Nearly 30% of worksites offer programs for physical activity and fitness, according to the CDC.
Office Buildings | Apr 8, 2019
It’s time for office amenities to get to work
Amenities with the greatest impact on effectiveness and experience are those that directly support the work needs of individual employees and their teams.
Office Buildings | Apr 8, 2019
Denver office building features 13,000 sf green roof
Dynia Architects designed the building.
Office Buildings | Apr 5, 2019
2019 trends in the workplace
From retention and career advancement to the ethics of inclusion and diversity, these five trends will play a major role this year in design, strategic planning and workplace development.
Industrial Facilities | Mar 10, 2019
The burgeoning Port San Antonio lays out growth plans
Expansions would accommodate cybersecurity, aerospace, and defense tenants, and help commercialize technologies.
Office Buildings | Mar 6, 2019
How to leverage design and culture’s two-way relationship for better workplaces
The relationship between workplace design and company culture isn’t all that different from a tango.