New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Revealed

New details of the second phase of Amazon HQ2 in Northern Virginia were released last week ahead of a planning committee hearing.

1 minute read

May 17, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Amazon recently revealed new renderings for the planned second phase of HQ2 in Pentagon City, according to an article posted on ARLnow.

Amazon set off a frenzy with its hunt for a second headquarters in 2017—even Saturday Night Live got in on the act. The company's plans for its headquarters in Northern Virginia once again stoked the hot take machine earlier this year by releasing renderings of a giant glass helix.

John Schoettler, vice president of global real estate and facilities for Amazon, updated the Phase 2 process with a blog post detailing the hiring process for the new facility and offering insight into the details of the new designs.

Schoettler describes the scene captured in the rendering above as a "densely planted landscape with accessible pathways, seating, and long views wo the south." Also, "The immersive, botanical experience offers forest rooms for communal gathering, relaxation, respite, and a cascading water feature that creates a cooling microclimate…"

According to ARLnow, the new renderings were announced the same day as a hearing for the Phase 2 plans before the Arlington County Long Range Planning Committee.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 in ARLnow

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City