Arlington Virginia, USA

Amazon has unveiled the proposed development plans for the second phase of its Arlington, Virginia headquarters, Amazon HQ2 designed by NBBJ.

The project’s centerpiece is “The helix,” a 350-foot tower filled with a variety of work environments for amazon employees and visitors.

“The Amazon Helix reminisces Tatlin’s Tower, or the project for the Monument to the Third International (1919–20), which was a design for a grand monumental building by the Russian artist and architect Vladimir Tatlin,” states architecture critic Christian Narkiewicz-Laine.

By comparison, the Arlington tower makes its Spheres offices in Seattle look positively mainstream. Jeff Bezos’ retail behemoth is no stranger to unusual architecture, but the newly released plans for just what he has in mind for Amazon’s second headquarters take that even further.

HQ2 will be dominated by the double helix, a spiral-shaped cone that will blend swathes of bulging glass with trees and other greenery. It’s a theme the company explored with architects from NBBJ, which also designed the Spheres, only The Helix will allow the public to take advantage of the dramatic designs.

“And, of course there’s elevators inside the building so that if you’re not able to walk all the way up you can come up to whatever floor you want and get out and enjoy all the different levels out there,” said Dale Alberda, lead NBBJ architect of the project.

Intended to act as a new focal point in the PenPlace development, on the corner of 12th Street South and South Eads Street in Arlington County, The Helix will feature a huge hill climb that curves around the building.

The PenPlace site roughly flanks Interstate 395, taking up the block extending along Army Navy Drive between South Fern Street and South Eads Street. The southern perimeter runs between those streets along 12th Street South.

The goal, the company explained, is to open that up periodically to the public, so that they can take advantage of the unusual architecture and its views, allowing visitors and staff to be immersed in nature with lush gardens and native trees populating the entirety of the spiraling structure.

The Helix will be the tallest of the new contractions, standing a full 350 feet. The remaining buildings will be less dramatic, though still 22 stories in height. They’ll provide Amazon with the all-important office space it needs for its HQ2 expansion, with approximately 2.8 million square feet unlocked.

The 12th Street side of the site is being envisioned as a retail village of European-style pedestrian avenues, three wooden-framed pavilions, restaurants, shops and outdoor eating along two-storey open rooftop venues overlooking the outdoor space. Priority will be given to local businesses and not national brands.

Outdoor spaces that are really well designed to accommodate all kinds of events whether that be a concert in a park, farmers market — there’s a dog run,” said Dale.

“And further, thinking about uses beyond retail — things like a 20,000-community facility and a daycare that would be available to the public as well.”

The site will be powered by a solar farm in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, that Amazon bought in collaboration with Arlington County. It will include 2.8 million feet of office space spread among three 22-story LEED Platinum office buildings and The Helix, a building designed to embrace natural elements inside and out.

“We want these spaces to be lively and energetic, not only during the day when all of the Amazon employees are there, but also in the evenings and on weekends — that’s super important to us,” said John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice president of real estate and facilities.

The project is expected to be finished in 2025.

Architects: NBBJ
Client: Amazon