Microsoft Planning Multi-billion Redmond HQ Overhaul

Microsoft (MSFT) reportedly is mulling a broad overhaul of its Redmond, WA headquarters in what could become a multi-billion renovation intended to encourage the company’s new collaboration culture and attract young talent.

Bloomberg reported the vendor has hired the prominent Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architect firm–which designed the world’s tallest building in Dubai, 7 World Trade Center, JFK Airport, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, and already is helping to rework Microsoft’s Mountain View, CA campus–to draft major improvements to the company’s suburban Seattle home base.

Microsoft already has modernized some of the buildings on campus to favor open work areas over private offices, the report said.

The vendor has kept its central headquarters in Redmond for nearly 30 years and currently maintains some 80 buildings on about 500 acres. It owns much of the campus.

Inasmuch as Microsoft has not publicly disclosed plans for the headquarters makeover, details are sketchy at this point.

Skidmore, Owings, while not confirming it’s working on a redesign for Microsoft’s headquarters, didn’t deny it either.

“We continually work on Microsoft campus plans to anticipate future needs,” the company said in a statement.

Now that Microsoft is chief executive Satya Nadella’s company to shape, the boss continues to enact a wide-ranging structural, product and cultural overhaul that could take physical shape with a new central headquarters.

According to the Bloomberg report, Microsoft is said to want more open work spaces to encourage collaboration among teams of employees in what would be an overhauled main campus.

An updated design for Microsoft’s corporate headquarters might include not only some new buildings but also a renovation of older, existing structures. Extra perks such as restaurants, retail outlets and lodging for visiting employees and interns could be included as well, the report said.

Construction of a new light rail station near Microsoft’s campus is slated to break ground early in 2016. The station will be called the Redmond Technology Center Station, the Journal reported, and could deliver employees to a newly-renovated main campus by light rail public transit.