Microsoft Unveils Big Plans for Its New Redmond Campus

In an interview with GeekWire about the project, Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith stated: “We have the luxury of having 500 acres, and we fully appreciate that it is a luxury that very few companies have, especially when you have 500 acres...". Modern campuses like these have evolved to meet the job market's needs, enabling tech companies like Microsoft to compete for work and talent. By working at a giant like Microsoft, in a very literal sense, you get the "keys to a kingdom."

"The new campus gives us the ability to build a working environment that matches the culture that we’re creating for Microsoft," says Smith. "It’s going to be a working environment that we believe is going to foster creativity and teamwork and informality and the ability of people to connect with and learn from each other and connect with our customers."

Company campuses are becoming more common while growing more colossal: Google, Box, and Groupon to name a few. The aim is always to reflect the hip, modern, and a zen-like company culture that is familiar to many of the more prominent tech companies. These campuses become a sense of pride and bragging rights for the employees that work there.

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The new campus aims to merge a fluid and sporty environment in its design, adding easier access to public transportation and overall travel-friendly campus. The 18 new buildings will be four-stories totaling around 2.5 million square feet. Outside, the pedestrian design will include various sports fields, underground parking, on top of a massive green outdoor space for events, big meeting, or musical performances.

Since its opening in 1986, the 15 million square feet Redmond campus has been continually evolving to fit the changes in both modern culture and company culture. It should be exciting to see how the campus may change in the next 20 years.