Is Amazon’s “HQ2” Second Headquarters Coming to LIC?

We already know that an Amazon distribution center will be moving into the old Bulova headquarters on Boody Street in Woodside, but Queens very well may get even more “Amazon” in the coming years.

In September of 2017, the e-commerce giant announced that it would be creating a second headquarters, as they were outgrowing their original one in Seattle. This “HQ2” would employ some 50,000 people, and Amazon would be investing $5 billion into the project. Long Island City was considered for the location, along with 20 other finalist cities.

But now it looks like there might be two winners- LIC and Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia, a Washington, DC, suburb. The Seattle based biz finds these areas appealing because of their thousands of Amazon employees already in place in NYC and the DC area. New York’s 1,800 Amazon employees are mainly in fashion, publishing, and advertising, while the 2,500 Arlington-area employees are mainly in corporate and technical roles.

Having two locations instead of one would mean more talent to choose from while hiring, as well as perhaps leaving a lighter footprint on the neighborhoods in terms of construction and traffic. But if they do go ahead with the dual locations, it’s still not clear if they’ll both be referred to as “headquarters” or not.

Whatever they end up doing, it will have to happen quickly if Amazon intends to meet its goal of 500,000 square feet of office space by next year. As of right now, no final decision has been made, but both Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have been championing Long Island City.

“I’ll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that’s what it takes,” Governor Cuomo said. “Because it would be a great economic boost.”

Since the Long Island City location has not yet been confirmed, we don’t have information about where exactly any new buildings might be, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted! And be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts and feelings about Amazon’s new digs in Western Queens.