How New Tech HQs Are Redefining Office
From Apple to Google and eBay to Shutterstock, it’s clear tech companies know how to create a unique and engaging work environment. We took a closer look at new and under-construction tech headquarters to find out what makes them so special.
APPLE CAMPUS 2
Total Size of Space: 2.8M SF
Employee Capacity: 13,000
Expected Completion: 2017
Designer: Lord Norman Foster
Apple’s $5B circular four-story campus will have 2.8M SF of floor space within a one-mile-circumference structure. About 3,000 sheets of curved glass surround both sides of the building, allowing for clear views of the exterior landscaping. The 176-acre campus in Cupertino has many unique features, such as a natural ventilation system on the roof, landscaped grounds providing fruits and vegetables to the cafeteria, a fitness center, a 1,000-seat auditorium and a café with seating for 3,000. There are also 600k SF of research facilities and over 10,000 parking spaces, including 300 EV charging stations.
BLACKBOARD
Size of Space: 71k SF spanning three floors
Employee Capacity: 300
Move-In Date: 2016
When Blackboard originally sought a new location for its headquarters, it thought of moving away from Washington, DC. But the District’s transportation, shopping and dining kept the tech company in the area. Its new headquarters at 111 19th St NW (a building owned by Clarion Partners) offers open office space and sleek design. Blackboard director of facilities and administration Ted Maschler said the design will be used as a model for the company’s other offices throughout the country.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Size of Space: 110k SF
Employee Capacity: 450
Designer: Studios Architecture
Completion: End of 2016 (25k SF expansion)
Shutterstock’s office inside the Empire State Building brought trendy chic to the 85-year-old art deco building. The office features one of the largest staircases in the building, hallways connecting different teams with quiet spaces to chat in between, access to teleconference robots so people can attend meetings remotely and a plethora of amenities (shown above). The outdoor terrace is equipped with wind-resistant furniture. The latest expansion will add another floor to the office to better accommodate the company’s growing size. Additional amenities will also be added.
GOOGLE'S LONDON HQ
Size of Space: 650k SF
Employee Capacity: 7,000
Designer: Heatherwick Studios and Bjarke Ingels Group
Expected Completion: 2020
Google’s forthcoming 650k SF London headquarters will build off the tech giant’s presence in the city. Google occupies 380k SF at 6 Pancras Square, which offers employees free food, massages, cooking classes and a 90-meter running track. A second building leased by Google is under construction with occupancy to start in 2018. Google also could add up to 3,000 jobs in London by 2020 with this forthcoming expansion. In total, Google will occupy three buildings.
EBAY
Total Size of Space: 20k SF (Main Street expansion)
Designer: ESI Design
Completion: 2016
The 20k SF addition of Main Street is eBay’s new front door in San Jose and offers both visitors and employees large, interactive displays and dynamic media installations. The hub also added three executive conference rooms, outside decks for breaks, a coffee bar and The Gallery, a small shop available to employees and partners. A 7,150 SF Main Hall offers space for large meetings, conferences, events and company-wide broadcasts.
Employees and visitors can interact with a 15-foot touch-screen wall with icons of various items to see how many of those items were sold recently. Two smaller touch screens allow employees and partners to find out more about the company, its products and people.
