Microsoft announced the plans for expansion of its main campus via the Microsoft blog. M
Microsoft plans to break ground on the expansion project next fall and the 18 new buildings will include 6.7 million square feet of renovated workspaces. The expansion will also include $150 million in transportation infrastructure updates, public spaces, sports fields, and a green space.
“This project represents a significant investment by the company, will involve roughly 2,500 construction and development jobs, and will take five to seven years to complete. It’s an investment that’s good for our employees, good for the Puget Sound community, and makes good sense for our shareholders. We are not only creating a world-class work environment to help retain and attract the best and brightest global talent, but also building a campus that our neighbors can enjoy, and that we can build in a fiscally smart way with low environmental impact.”
Microsoft says that the new campus will be more open and less formal. The space will be divided into what it calls “team neighborhoods.” The campus revamp promises more natural light and a setting to “foster the type of creativity that will lead to ongoing innovation” writes Microsoft.
MS will also create more opportunities to exercise, play and connect with nature for the people who work at Microsoft and those who live nearby. A 2-acre open plaza will sport running and walking trails, facilities for soccer and cricket, and retail space.
The campus remodel will be built for pedestrians and bikes with all cars in an underground parking facility. The campus will also be connected to WA-520 on both sides and it will tie into the future Redmond Technology Transit Station linking the campus to Link Light Rail in 2023.
