Amazon is continuing to expand its Bellevue reach.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the company announced it was on track to create more than 15,000 new jobs in the city within the next few years. Currently, there are about 2,000 Amazon employees in Bellevue.
Amazon’s first Bellevue office opened in 2017. However, when CEO Jeff Bezos started the company some 25 years ago, it was in a home in West Bellevue.
Many of Amazon’s incoming employees will be working out of an in-the-works 43-story building, which is known as Bellevue 600. The building, which will be Bellevue’s tallest, takes up 1 million square feet of office space.
It is anticipated that the tower will be open within the next four years.
In a statement released on Feb. 6, Bellevue city officials shared their thoughts on the announcement.
“With the downtown area’s successful growth over the last several years, we’ve created a dynamic and thriving neighborhood, and one that’s attractive to businesses, workers and residents,” Mayor Lynne Robinson said. “Accelerated growth does come with impacts, and we hope to mitigate those by proactively working together as a community to address our resident needs. We appreciate Amazon’s eagerness to be a partner during this process and to take the role as an engaged Bellevue stakeholder.”
The city noted prior planning in the press release.
“While Bellevue, specifically Downtown, has seen major growth over the last decade, it’s taken a lot of work and planning to get to this point,” city manager Brad Miyake said. “It’s exciting to see that Amazon and other businesses want to invest in Bellevue, and we look forward to strengthening all our partnerships. Just as important, the city is committed to ensuring the high quality of life that residents, visitors and workers have come to expect.”
Amazon is hoping to start construction on the 43-story tower in 2021 and move in in 2024.
An additional tower at 600 108th Avenue Northeast will stand 33 stories and take the place of the Bellevue Corporate Plaza building, though the starting “phase” for the additional tower’s construction has not yet been determined.
Bellevue 600 also will come with a commons space, retail, possible daycare and meeting center during its first phase. An included below-grade, six-level parking garage is planned to have some 1,815 stalls.
The project’s general contractor is Sellen Construction. Its designer is the NBBJ architecture firm.
“We look forward to continue growing our presence in Bellevue, bringing more jobs to the city, collaborating with its leaders and being an active member of this thriving community,” Amazon said on its website.
