Arlingtonians Seem to Like the HQ2 Designs, Thank You Very Much
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
![](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2021/02/amazon-hq2.jpg)
While the public has been debating the merits and meanings of Amazon's eye-popping design for its Arlington headquarters (HQ2) since it was shared last month, it seems Arlingtonians are far less polarized.
On Thursday night, Arlington County launched the public review process for the HQ2 proposal, giving people their first opportunity to share comments and ask questions about what could be headed to the block northeast of S Fern Street and 12th Street S (map).
The proposal includes 3.16 million square feet of office space across three buildings with ground-floor retail, another 24,000 square feet of retail across three "pavilion" buildings, and a nearly 370,000 square-foot, 350 foot-tall corkscrew-shaped office amenity building dubbed The Helix, interspersed with over two acres of open space.
story continues below
loading...story continues above
![](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2021/02/mt-vernon-trail-reduced.jpg)
If the first meeting was any indication, Pentagon City residents are more interested in the nuances of the proposal than the ambition of the design.
The only noteworthy criticisms voiced were a comment that the rooflines of the non-Helix buildings are too "flat" and lack visual interest, and a concern that those same buildings have a noticeable lack of green space along the façade compared to The Helix. For those who chose to comment on the design, descriptors included "creative", "wonderful", "interesting", and "powerful".
![](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2021/02/dogpark-reduced.jpg)
As for concerns, some wondered about the particulars of the sustainability plans and whether the development (don't call it a "campus") should meet its net-zero energy goal before the target date of 2040. There was also a question of whether the glass façades of the buildings would be bird-friendly.
Others were more concerned about the configuration and accessibility of the spaces that the public will have access to, including the central plaza, a 20,000 square-foot community center on the ground floor of one of the office buildings, and the outdoor terraces of The Helix itself.
NBBJ is the architect for the site and Scape Studio is the landscape architect. Assuming that approvals are timely, the first building could deliver by 2025. Amazon is already occupying some leased space in the neighborhood and has begun construction just down the street at Metropolitan Park.
See other articles related to: amazon, amazon hq2, amazon second headquarters, arlington county, nbbj, pentagon city
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/arlingtonians-seem-to-like-the-hq2-designs-thank-you-very-much/18052.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
![Buying with Friends: What You Should Know](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2010/05/home_value.jpg)
Here are some precautions to take before buying real estate with a buddy.... read »
![$10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/VAFX2180246_45_0_image_560x420.jpg)
The six-bedroom home listed for just south of $10 million back in June went under con... read »
![16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/2500-wilson-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The new project will take the place of an obsolete office building in Courthouse.... read »
![Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/1625-mass-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The three office-to-residential conversion projects have been conditionally awarded t... read »
![500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/parcel-6-park_image_560x420.jpg)
The plans for one of the final parcels at DC's St. Elizabeth's East campus are beginn... read »
- Buying with Friends: What You Should Know
- $10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer
- 16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard
- Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements
- 500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro