Following REI’s announcement that it would not move headquarters to Bellevue from Kent, as previously reported, the company announced Sept. 14 that Facebook has bought the planned campus for $390 million.
The 400,000-square-foot campus was completed in the Spring District neighborhood before REI decided to decentralize its headquarters in August and still close the Kent space. REI instead is including more work from home options for employees in its long-term plan, a move seen by many companies during the shutdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Seattle area is Facebook’s largest U.S. hub outside Silicon Valley, and Facebook purchased another office space in Bellevue’s Spring District in late 2019.
In a statement, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce CEO Joe Fain said they looked forward to working with Facebook. It’s another win for Bellevue’s business community, he said, following the recent announcement Amazon was also bringing another large office space to Bellevue earlier this month.
“Facebook’s expansion on the Eastside not only means more great technology jobs for our region, but it also means being home to another global company that is committed to giving back to our local community” Fain said. “We’re excited that Facebook leaders will be represented on the Bellevue Chamber’s Board of Directors and Policy Council, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with them on workforce development, affordable housing and supporting social services on the Eastside.”
REI and Facebook also announced each company would be donating $1 million to Eastrail, the 42-mile trail loop connecting the Eastside.
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The never-used REI Bellevue headquarters was sold to Facebook for $390 million, according to an announcement on Monday, Sept. 14. Rendering of courtyard. Courtesy photo/Wright Runstad & Company
