Phase two of Amazon’s $2.5-billion HQ2 development in Northern Virginia will have an outdoor vibe reminiscent of the e-retailing giant’s Pacific Northwest roots, according to designs released Feb. 2.
With construction already underway on two new office towers at the National Landing complex located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., the proposed next phase, called PenPlace, will be centered around “The Helix,” a 350-ft tall tapered glass structure accented with two exterior landscaped nature trails that spiral their way to the top. Amazon officials characterize the structure as an “alternative workspace” for employee collaboration and down time.