Follow
Microsoft plans to complete the expansion of its headquarters in five to seven years.
American multinational company, Microsoft, has announced it will be revamping its 500-acre headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The decision comes as a response to the shifting landscape of architecturally-sound workplaces started in part by Microsoft’s tech rivals, Amazon and Apple.
Microsoft’s current Redmond Campus has 125 buildings that house around 48 thousand workers. Now, the company wants to „grow right here at home”, by including 18 new buildings to its headquarters as well as renovating 6.7 million square feet of workspace. The company will also improve their transportation infrastructure, public spaces, sports fields and green space.
The project is said to take five to seven years and will reportedly cost billions. Over the next several years, the company will level 12 buildings and replaced them with larger structures as well as new ones. At the end of the day, Microsoft aims to increase its housing capabilities to 55 thousand workers.
This is the tech company’s latest foray into improving their overall image, as nowadays, large tech company’s rely on their workplace appearance to attract new talent and potential investors. Through a strong visual statement, multinational conglomerates are able to successfully compete in an oversaturated marketplace.
Tech company, Apple, has recently opened its new Apple Park Campus in April this year. Located in Cupertino, California, the campus was envisioned by Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, before his death, and will start welcoming visitors by the end of 2017.
Besides Apple, there are companies such as Facebook and Google, who have also overhauled their headquarters to resemble overpriced spaceships.
Microsoft is also taking steps to accommodate its neighbors. The soon-to-be improved campus will include a two-acre ”open plaza” that includes retail space, sports facilities and running and walking trails. The plaza can accommodate 12 thousand people, according to Microsoft.
„We prize our relationship with the City of Redmond and will work closely with officials on the approval for campus and building architectural designs,” the company said in a statement.
Image Source: WikipediaCommons
