Amazon is restarting construction on a 42-story office tower in Bellevue, Washington to accommodate an additional 3,000 employees. The building, named Sonic, is currently home to 1,500 employees and will have a total capacity of around 4,500 employees once the construction is completed. Amazon has significant growth plans in Bellevue, with a goal of employing 25,000 people across various buildings in the city.
Construction on Sonic and other projects in Bellevue was paused by Amazon as the company assessed the impact of hybrid work on its need for office space. The completion of Sonic’s interior was halted at the 19th floor, leaving roughly half of the building’s interior unfinished. Other Amazon buildings in Bellevue were also impacted, including Dynamo Tower One, Bellevue 600, and The Artise. Amazon aims to create collaborative workspaces and communal areas within Sonic, featuring lounges, meeting rooms, and various types of workspaces to accommodate post-pandemic work needs.
A report by Broderick Group revealed that out of the 5 million square feet of Amazon-leased space in downtown Bellevue, approximately 1.6 million square feet is currently unfinished. Amazon has praised Bellevue as a location that provides space for job creation, a business-friendly environment, great amenities, and access to a talented workforce. The company has been reshuffling its workforce, with around 50,000 employees in Seattle and ongoing layoffs in various departments, including AWS and Physical Stores Technology teams.
In response to the impact of hybrid work on its office space needs, Amazon is restarting construction on its Sonic office tower in Bellevue to complete 22 floors of interior space, allowing for an additional 3,000 employees. The company is targeting a total of 4,500 employees across various teams in Sonic, which is part of its larger growth plans in Bellevue. Other Amazon buildings in Bellevue, including Dynamo, Bellevue 600, and The Artise, were also affected by the construction pause initiated by the company.
Amazon has emphasized the importance of creating collaborative workspaces and communal areas within Sonic, featuring lounges, meeting rooms, and various types of workspaces. The company has been testing different layouts to accommodate post-pandemic work needs and aims to create a flexible and efficient work environment for its employees. Bellevue has been highlighted as a location with ample space to create jobs, a supportive community, and access to a talented workforce, which aligns with Amazon’s business goals in the city.
Despite ongoing construction and workforce changes, Amazon remains focused on its growth plans in Bellevue and beyond. The company views Bellevue as a strategic location for job creation and business expansion, citing the city’s amenities, quality of life, and talent pool as key factors in its decision to invest in the area. While Amazon has experienced workforce reductions and restructuring in various departments, the company remains committed to its long-term growth strategy and continues to make significant investments in its office spaces and workforce in Bellevue and beyond.
