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When you visit any major U.S. city, you can expect to see some standard, boxy skyscrapers. Many of these places also have a few unique buildings that stand out among the crowd. Whether it be the Empire State Building in NYC or the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, these timeless structures are synonymous with their famous locales.

After all these years, Arlington is finally poised to have its own hallmark structure. Amazon recently unveiled plans for its new headquarters, which they modeled after a double helix. The digital renderings of the structure received mixed reviews. Whatever the critics may say, the building itself is sure to be a marvel of modern engineering.

The Helix building is set to be 350 feet tall when it's finished. It will also bring thousands of new jobs to the area.

Part of the Neighborhood

Amazon representatives clarified that they do not want to just force the project on the community. They want to become an integrated part of the town with their expansive corporate complex.

To meet these goals, they are including several features that are geared toward getting residents involved. Most notably, they plan to build a community center. Their complex will also include an amphitheater and a dog run. To top it all off, Amazon is going to include over two acres of green space that will be open to the public.

In addition, they announced that their goal is to open the Helix building to the public on occasion. Amazon will limit public access to weekends to avoid conflicting with day-to-day operations. As a further bonus, Amazon is also going to incorporate an artist's residency program.

This multitude of community offerings will likely enhance the public opinion about the project. Amazon understands how important it is to create a positive outlook from the local community. Local acceptance goes a long way toward obtaining final approval of the project.

What Happens Next?

Amazon’s Arlington-based Helix building is well on its way to becoming a reality. However, there are a few more stages to the planning and development process. Among other things, the project must go before the County Board and the Planning Commission.

If granted final approval, the Helix project will be fully underway by 2022. It has an estimated completion date of 2025.

Amazon has stated that its new headquarters will create nearly 3 million square feet of office space. Designs have placed a heavy focus on sustainability. As seen in the artist’s rendering, the Helix building will maximize the use of natural lighting. According to Amazon, they will eventually convert all of the buildings in the complex to solar power.

Amazon has already begun construction on two other buildings. These additional structures are centered in the Metropolitan Park area. Those buildings will result in over 2 million square feet of extra office space. They will also provide significant retail space.

Over 1,600 employees have already started working at this location. When it’s complete, this location will house roughly 25,000 employees.

What Does This Mean for Me?

Amazon’s investment in the Arlington area is a sign of the strong construction market. Virginia continues to grow and develop, which has resulted in a high need for licensed contractors. You can become a part of this ever-expanding field with the help of RocketCert. Our full online training program can help you to obtain or renew your contractor's license in Virginia.