Unlike Amazon HQ2, Microsoft To Expand Current HQ By 2.5M SF
UPDATE, NOV. 30, 11:10 A.M. ET: This story has been updated to include information from Microsoft Corp.
Rather than open a second headquarters like the highly anticipated Amazon HQ2, Microsoft is giving its current Redmond, Washington, headquarters a multimillion-dollar face-lift.
The computer giant plans to demolish 12 old buildings and erect 18 new buildings — at least some of which will be energy-optimized smart buildings — at its 500-acre campus. Currently the complex consists of 125 buildings, a shopping mall, restaurants, a pub and a soccer field. The expansion will add 2.5M SF to the current 15M SF on campus, the New York Times reports. Renovations are expected to take between five and seven years to complete and will be the equivalent of 180 football fields once complete, CNBC reports.
Redevelopment plans include 6.7M SF of renovated workspace. Microsoft will also invest $150M in transportation infrastructure improvements, public spaces, sports fields and additional green space. The redevelopment will also include a cross-campus bridge that will be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
The renovated campus will have enough room to host 55,000 employees, approximately 8,000 of whom could be new.
