Amazon's Helix-Shaped HQ Tower Wins Approval From Arlington County

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Board approved Amazon's plans to build a helix-shaped building as the centerpiece of its second headquarters in the Crystal City area of the county.

The board’s 5-0 vote on Saturday to approve the project comes after Amazon announced plans in February 2021 for the 350-foot tower to anchor the second phase of its redevelopment plans. Amazon said it hopes to complete the project in 2025.

The new office towers will support a second headquarters for Amazon that is expected to hold more than 25,000 workers in an area of Arlington branded as National Landing when it is complete.

The spiral design features a walkable ramp wrapping around the building with trees and greenery planted to resemble a mountain hike.

"With the County Board’s approval, we look forward to continuing our work with the community as we take the next steps on this journey to build an integrated, innovative, and sustainable second headquarters in Arlington," Amazon said in a statement Saturday.

Amazon also said Saturday that it has crossed a hiring milestone, with more than 5,000 employees now assigned to the second headquarters in Arlington.

Construction was recently completed on the top floor of Metropolitan Park, the first phase of Amazon's HQ2. When finished, the Met Park area of the Arlington-based headquarters will create 2.1 million square feet of office space and about 65,000 square feet of retail space and other community features. The 6.2-acre Metropolitan Park site is bounded by 13th Street South, new South Elm Street, South Eads Street and 15th Street South.

Along with the helix-shaped tower, the second phase area, called PenPlace, will include an amenity building with a community gathering space and daycare center, and three retail pavilions. PenPlace will also have three acres of open space with a dog run and a 250-seat amphitheater for public use.

PenPlace is surrounded by Army Navy Drive, S. Fern Street, 12th Street S. and S. Eads Street.

Since announcing Arlington as the site of its HQ2 in 2018, Amazon said it has committed more than $35 million in total investments to local nonprofits, community groups, public schools and businesses. This includes both monetary and in-kind donations, like school supplies to public schools across Northern Virginia and food donations to local food banks and pantries for families in need.

Through the Housing Equity Fund, Amazon also has contributed more than $800 million to support affordable housing in Arlington and the D.C. area. Based on data provided by Arlington County, the fund has helped to increase the affordable housing stock in Arlington by 22 percent, Amazon said.

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