Apple plans to build a new headquarters to replace its current building in Cupertino, Calif. That building, which Steve Jobs called a site that looks like a “spaceship has just landed,” was initially planned to be opened in 2015, but will actually not open its doors until 2016, due to some delays on Cupertino’s environmental impact study.
Still, the Spaceship, as it has become known, is shaping up to be one of the most impressive buildings in the entire technology industry. The building will be circular and house many more Apple employees than the company’s current headquarters. Plus, it’ll be extremely energy-efficient, making good on Apple’s promise to become more “green” in the coming years.
Simply put, the upcoming Apple headquarters looks to be a massive feat that will set the standard for all corporate headquarters. We’ve heard a lot about Google’s Mountain View, Calif., campus; soon enough, we’ll be hearing about Apple’s Spaceship.
Read on to find out about some of the cool things that will make the Spaceship so interesting.
1. It’s massive
Apple’s Spaceship will take a long time to build. Wondering why? According to Apple’s own plans for the building, it will span 2.8 million square feet, making it one of the largest structures in the world. It’ll have everything from a fitness center to a cafeteria to office space.
2. Apple plans to plant 7,000 trees
Apple has committed to making the new campus as environmentally friendly as possible. To do so, the company says that 80 percent of the space will be landscaped and feature 7,000 trees, dramatically increasing the number of trees currently on the land.
3. It’ll house more than 14,000 employees
Apple’s current headquarters is rather small. However, the new building will be able to accommodate more than 14,000 employees without any trouble, according to Apple’s internal plans—thousands more than the company’s current headquarters.
4. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was behind it
It’s no surprise after examining the Spaceship that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who passed away last year, was behind it. The models currently on display show a building that is a true architectural feat. And if it comes out looking the way it does in those models, it’ll be awfully good-looking. Sounds like Jobs, doesn’t it?
Apple’s ‘Spaceship’ HQ: 10 Cool Things You Should Know
5. An underground auditorium for product announcements will be built
Apple says that it plans to have an underground auditorium on the campus that will be able to seat 1,000 people. Wondering what that’s for? According to Apple, the auditorium will be home to the company’s product announcements and other important, internal events.
6. It’ll be self-sufficient on power
Interestingly, Apple has found a way to make the Spaceship completely energy-self-sufficient. The campus will be capable of connecting to the national grid in the event of an emergency failure, but when such a failure isn’t happening, it’ll be completely off the grid and running on its own power.
7. Part of the land was previously owned by HP
Here’s a fun fact: Apple acquired a large chunk of the 176-acre site where the Spaceship will be from Hewlett-Packard. Although the sales price was never divulged, it’s believed that the land cost Apple as much as $300 million. Good thing Apple sells so many iPhones.
8. There won’t be a single piece of straight glass in the place
Apple’s Spaceship will be a massive, glass building. However, Steve Jobs had said none of the glass would be straight. In fact, he said before the Cupertino city council last year that every piece of glass in the building would be curved. Wow.
9. The dimensions are downright shocking
The dimensions in Apple’s Spaceship are shocking. According to the company’s plans, the four-story building has a 1,615-foot diameter, making it wider than the Pentagon. And at a circumference of nearly 1 mile, it’ll take a while to get around the structure.
10. It will open in 2016
So, when will this building finally open? Apple had initially planned to get its workers into the building in 2015, but now it appears it’ll be pushed back to 2016, due to some delays with Cupertino’s approval process. When it opens, expect a major event—and at least one homage to Steve Jobs.