Amazon HQ2 rendering with the Helix, including workspace, will also be open to the public every month, selected weekends.
Courtesy: NBBJ
Amazon unveiled its latest look at its second Northern Virginia headquarters on Tuesday.
The standout feature of the design proposal for HQ2 includes a unique structure called “The Helix.” Amazon described the 120-meter office tower as a “spiral vertical forest” with outdoor paths with trees and plants twisting to the top of the building.
The shape of the building is intended to resemble a double helix and touches “humanity’s innate connection with nature,” according to the NBBJ architectural firm, which designs the structure.
Amazon unveiled new renderings of its Arlington, Virginia headquarters, including The Helix, a uniquely designed 350-foot tower.
Courtesy: NBBJ
The Helix will serve as an alternate workspace for Amazon employees, but will also be open to the public some weekends of the month, similar to the “Spheres,” the nature-inspired centerpiece of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters.
Amazon said the designs constitute proposed development plans for the second phase of the new build at HQ2. If the plans are approved by Arlington County, the company hopes to begin construction on the Helix and other office buildings on the site in 2022. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.
The project plans include three retail pavilions with space for restaurants, shops, outdoor dining and meeting areas.
Courtesy: NBBJ
The Helix, combined with three other office buildings on the site, called PenPlace, would create approximately 2.8 million square feet of office space.
Aside from office space, Amazon has reserved more than 2.5 acres of open spaces that are open to the public. There is an amphitheater designed for outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets and other activities, as well as public green space.
The campus comprises 2.5 hectares of public open space.
Courtesy: NBBJ
A potential view of the retail and restaurant space in the pavilion area.
Courtesy: NBBJ
Amazon said the site will also feature shopping pavilions and restaurants, in addition to other communal areas, such as a nursery, dog run, and food truck.
Amazon said the site prioritizes “walkways, landscaping and retail over motor vehicles.” The plan is to build protected cycle paths in the streets near the office buildings.
A potential view of the retail and restaurant space in the pavilion area.
Courtesy: NBBJ
Amazon chose Arlington as the location of HQ2, next to the Long Island City borough of Queens, New York, as part of its well-publicized search for a second headquarters. The company announced in 2019 that it would halt plans to build its new New York headquarters after facing setbacks from local activists and city council leaders.
Last year, Amazon began construction of two additional 22-story office towers in a development known as Metropolitan Park, south of PenPlace.