SEATTLE, WA - As Amazon continues to gain footing following its high-profile acquisition of Whole Foods, it is looking to fortify its current position by building a second headquarters in North America, which it is referring to as HQ2. Projected to cost more than $5 billion, and accommodating up to 50,000 staff, the company has put out a call for proposals to regional governments as it seeks to identify a location for the massive project.
“We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder and CEO, according to a press release. “Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. We’re excited to find a second home.”
In choosing the location for HQ2, Amazon has stated a preference for:
- Metropolitan areas with more than one million people
- A stable and business-friendly environment
- Urban or suburban locations with the potential to attract and retain strong technical talent
- Communities that think big and creatively when considering locations and real estate options
The project would initially need more than 500,000 square feet and up to 8 million square feet beyond 2027, Amazon said.
How will this move impact business moving forward? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.
