About Amazon.com Global Headquarters

Location: Seattle, Washington
Developer: Vulcan Inc.
Designers: NBBJ (Phase IA, IB), LMN Architects (Phase II, III), Callison  (Phase IV, V; featured image)
Size: 1.8 million square feet

The 1.8 million-square-foot Amazon.com global headquarters blends seamlessly into an emerging neighborhood, enhancing the area’s cultural, social, and economic qualities. Comprising nine new buildings, the project has also preserved two historic structures and created four art-filled public plazas, ten new dining entities, and “the neighborhood’s only medical clinic.” Creating more than 10,000 permanent jobs and bringing in over $9.5 million in new tax revenue annually, this project has also drawn $600 million in investment for public infrastructure projects such as parks and expanded transit services, as well as $5.7 million for affordable housing.

Prior to the project, the parcel consisted of several surface parking lots and numerous vacant or underused industrial warehouses. The complex now includes Zipcar services, bike storage, and electric car charging stations. Another example of the project’s effort to improve but preserve the neighborhood is the Terry Avenue Building, which was honored with Historic Seattle’s Best Rehabilitation Project Award for elements such as rooftop gardens, a green wall, and a rain garden.