Amazon’s shopping list for a second headquarters site is long – and demanding. From an urban setting to access for mass transit, a nearby international airport, and much more.

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Here are requirements as spelled out in its “request for proposals” document posted early Thursday:

In choosing the location for HQ2, Amazon has a preference for:

  • Metropolitan areas with more than one million people
  • A stable and business-friendly environment
  • Urban or suburban locations with the potential to attract and retain strong technical talent
  • Communities that think big and creatively when considering locations and real estate options

HQ2 could be, but does not have to be:

  • An urban or downtown campus
  • A similar layout to Amazon’s Seattle campus
  • A development-prepped site. We want to encourage states/provinces and communities to think creatively for viable real estate options, while not negatively affecting our preferred timeline

Site Requirements:

  • Proximity to population center: 30 Miles
  • Proximity to International airport: Within approx. 45 Minutes
  • Proximity to major highways and arterial roads: Not more than 1-2 Miles
  • Close to major arterial roads to provide optimal access
  • Access to mass transit: At site
  • Direct access to rail, train, subway/metro, bus routes

Building Requirements:

  • Initial Square Foot Requirement: 500,000+ Sq. Ft. Phase I (2019)
  • Total Square Foot Requirement: Up to 8,000,000 Sq. Ft. Beyond 2027

Priority for Consideration (in no particular order):

Amazon will consider the following site/building categories for the Project:

1. Existing buildings of at least 500,000+ sq. ft., meeting the core requirements described above and that are expandable or have additional options for development nearby.

2. A greenfield site of approximately 100 acres certified or pad ready, with utility infrastructure in place. The sites do not have to be contiguous, but should be in proximity to each other to foster a sense of place and be pedestrian-friendly.

3. Other infill, existing buildings, including opportunities for renovation/redevelopment and greenfield sites, meeting the proximity and logistics requirements of the Project. This can also be a combination of the above.

4 Please also consider the overall proximity of the buildings at full build-out as you are making recommendations.

Read more at:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/Anything/test/images/usa/RFP_3._V516043504_.pdf