Amazon HQ2 at Metropolitan Park

Overview

Thornton Tomasetti provided structural design services for the first phase of Amazon’s second headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The project replaced a block of vacant warehouses in the heart of Crystal City with more than two million square feet of state-of-the-art workplace, the critical first step in transforming the existing neighborhood into an 18-hour urban district where Amazon’s future employees and the local community can live, work and play.

This first phase included two 22-story, LEED Platinum® towers designed by ZGF with 65,000 square feet of ground-floor retail for shops, restaurants and a daycare center. The project also created more than two acres of new public open space designed for a variety of uses—including a dog park, tot lot, recreation areas and farmers markets—which will help to realize the community’s vision for a large, centrally-located park.

We also provided structural design support to the interior architecture team at Gensler for all aspects of the interior fit out of the workplace floors. We have collaborated with the tenant, architect and other consultants to use our knowledge of the base building structure to support their vision of the program.

Additionally, onsite facilities will create space for more than 500 bikes. The site offers direct access to public transportation, with two metro stations, multiple bus lines and a VRE station in close proximity. Amazon’s new urban campus will allow its employees to think creatively, be part of the surrounding community and remain connected to the region’s unique culture and environment.