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
| Jul 17, 2012
Dr. Phillips Charities Headquarters Building receives LEED Silver
The building incorporates sustainable design features, environmentally-friendly building products, energy efficient systems, and environmentally sensitive construction practices.
| Jul 11, 2012
Skanska relocates its Philadelphia metro office
Construction firm’s new 19,100-sf office targets LEED Gold certification.
| Jul 3, 2012
Summit Design+Build completes Emmi Solutions HQ
The new headquarters totals 20,455 sq. ft. and features a loft-style space with exposed masonry and mechanical systems, 17-ft clear ceilings, two large rooftop skylights, and private offices with full glass partition walls.
| Jul 2, 2012
San Francisco lays claim to the greenest building in North America
The 13-floor building can hold around 900 people, but consumes 60% less water and 32% less energy than most buildings of its kind.
| Jun 18, 2012
BOKA Powell Wins ‘Deal of the Year’ for One McKinney Plaza Transformation
$6 million renovation converted 1980s-style building into a modern destination in uptown Dallas
| Jun 13, 2012
Is it time to stop building convention centers?
Over the last 20 years, convention space in the United States has increased by 50%; since 2005, 44 new convention spaces have been planned or constructed in this country alone.
| Jun 13, 2012
Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute to hold energy asset conference for property owners, senior real estate managers
Top-level real estate professionals have been ignored as the industry has pushed to get sustainability measures in place.
| Jun 12, 2012
SAC Federal Credit Union selects LEO A DALY to design corporate headquarters
LEO A DALY also provided site selection, programming and master planning services for the project over the past year.
| Jun 11, 2012
Hill International selected as CM for Porto Arabia Towers in Qatar
The complex is a mixed-use development featuring both residential and commercial properties.