Amazon Plans 'Helix' Building As Centerpiece Of Arlington Campus

ARLINGTON — Amazon submitted plans Tuesday to Arlington County for the second phase of its $2.5 billion headquarters project. The new phase will feature a 350-foot helix-shaped office tower that can be climbed from the outside like a mountain hike.

The proposal also features 2.8 million square feet of office space in three 22-story office buildings in addition to those already under construction as the company looks to accommodate 25,000 new workers over the coming years in Arlington.

"A true double helix in shape and structure, this unique building will feature two walkable paths of landscaped terrain that will spiral up the outside of the building, featuring plantings you may find on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia," Amazon said Tuesday in a statement.

The second phase area, called PenPlace, includes 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.

"Designed by leading architecture firm NBBJ, our plans also infuse nature into the urban landscape and create a unique, sustainable environment where our employees can work and invent for our customers," the company said.

Amazon hopes to get approval from Arlington County in time for construction to begin in 2022 and end in 2025. PenPlace is surrounded by Army Navy Drive, S. Fern Street, 12th Street S. and S. Eads Street.

Amazon unveiled plans for the second phase of its HQ2 on the same day the company announced CEO Jeff Bezos will step down during the third quarter. Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy will replace Bezos as CEO. Bezos will become executive chair of Amazon’s board upon stepping down as CEO.

Construction is already underway on two office towers in the Metropolitan Park section of the development as part of the HQ2 project's first phase. That 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.

The PenPlace project will complement other ways Amazon is promoting a sense of community at Metropolitan Park, with a planned 2.8-acre park that includes abundant tree canopy coverings, neighborhood gathering areas and places for dogs, the company said.

More than two years ago, the Arlington County Board approved Amazon's development of the site, which was re-named National Landing and includes neighborhoods in Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard.

“Amazon’s proposed plans for PenPlace envision a dynamic skyline and present a bold vision for the future of National Landing," Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, president and executive director of the National Landing Business Improvement District, said Tuesday in a statement. "We applaud our partners at Amazon for the iconic design of The Helix with its indoor/outdoor experience and biophilic approach which reimagines the workplace and will stand as a beacon of innovation in our district."

The company's plans are a "promising sign" for the future of the area and "underscore the resilience and long-term viability of National Landing as a signature destination for generations to come," Sayegh Gabriel said.

In a statement, Arlington County Board Chairman Matt de Ferranti said the receipt of the site plan submission on Tuesday represents the start of the public review of the next phase of Amazon’s HQ2.

"Arlington looks forward to kicking off a thorough community review process — as we do with all proposed site plan developments — where neighbors and stakeholders will have the opportunity to review design concepts in further detail and multiple opportunities to provide input," de Ferranti said.

"We expect that the plans will come before the County’s Planning Commission and County Board by the end of the year for final consideration,” he said.