Published November 20 2018
On Monday, T-Mobile, one of the nation’s top wireless innovators, announced plans for a major remodel of its headquarters in Bellevue’s Factoria area. The announcement follows the company’s lease renewals earlier this year, which will keep the company in Bellevue through 2030.
The $160 million renovation, which will take place in phases over the next three years, will add new amenities, dining options and services for employees, as well as indoor-outdoor spaces for workplace collaboration and pedestrian skybridges between buildings. According to T-Mobile, the goal is to “transform its Northwest headquarters into a modern, inclusive, personalized, connected and flexible workplace to better support innovation and collaboration among employees.”
“With Bellevue’s strong history in supporting telecommunication companies, it makes perfect sense for T-Mobile to decide to stay and prosper here,” said Mayor John Chelminiak. “With Bellevue’s creative technical talent base and high quality of life, T-Mobile and its employees are at the center of innovation in the Puget Sound region. We are glad T-Mobile chose Bellevue for the long haul.”
The city’s Economic Development team has been working collaboratively with T-Mobile for over a year on plans to support the company’s current operations and future growth in Bellevue. These efforts include short- and long-term transportation improvements in the Factoria area, discussions on area workforce needs, and land use and permitting requirements. Bellevue provides similar support to companies of all sizes through its “Grow in Bellevue” program.
“We are very pleased to be working with the team at T-Mobile,” said Jesse Canedo, interim Cultural and Economic Vitality director. “Our concierge-style approach to business retention provides proactive support to area employers based on their unique needs and circumstances.”
With more than 6,200 employees at sites in Bellevue’s Factoria, Eastgate and BelRed neighborhoods, T-Mobile is an anchor of the Greater Seattle region’s technology cluster, which includes both industry titans (like Microsoft and Amazon) and smaller tech pioneers (like TimeXtender, Apptio and PointInside). The company’s headquarters renovation affirms the status of Seattle’s Eastside as one of the premier technology hubs in the country.
City staff will continue to support and partner with T-Mobile through its renovation. Areas of ongoing support and conversation will include land use and permitting to facilitate the renovation, transportation improvements and placemaking, among other topics.
Bellevue’s concierge-style support services are available to small and large employers alike. Local businesses can find more information at BellevueWA.gov/business.