Amazon’s unveils plans for ‘Helix’ tower at $2.5bn headquarters

A first look at Amazon's new HQ

Credit: NBBJ

Amazon has unveiled concept images of its planned second headquarters in northern Virginia, including a plant-filled structure the company is calling the Helix.

The $2.5bn (£1.81bn) project will bear an outdoor theme with trees and shrubbery adorning its exterior as well as two spiralling outdoor walkways that wrap around the exterior of the Helix tower.

The headquarters, dubbed PenPlace, will be made up of three 22-storey buildings that will span across 2.8m sq ft.

Amazon's new HQ will be made up of three 22-storey buildings

Credit: NBBJ

The marketplace giant unveiled its designs on Tuesday and said the buildings will accommodate around 13,000 employees.

The buildings form part two of Amazon’s development in Arlington County, Virginia. Plans for the buildings come three years after Amazon first announced it was to expand its HQ beyond its Seattle base. 

The construction project is also in spite of the widespread advent of remote working kickstarted by the pandemic.

A host of big tech companies have made commitments to remote working beyond the pandemic, including Twitter, which told employees they could work from home forever if they preferred.

A look at Amazon's new campus

Credit: NBBJ

John Shoettler, Amazon’s vice president of global real estate and facilities, said the company had to think about the HQ as a “long-term investment”.

"Now more than ever, the challenges of the past year reinforce the importance of being both part of a community and a supportive corporate citizen," he said in a blog post.

"We’re thankful for the warm welcome that Arlington neighbors, elected officials, civic leaders, local businesses, and nonprofits have extended to us."