New Seattle Digs for Facebook

Barely one month after announcing that it would double its space at its current location in Seattle, Facebook is on the move in the Emerald City, confirming that it will move into the Dexter Station building early next year.

GeekWire reported that the social network will start out with a lease for 274,000 square feet in the building, which is currently under construction, with an option to add 62,000 more square feet.

According to GeekWire, renowned architect Frank Gehry is designing the space for Facebook. Gehry has also worked on the social network’s West Campus expansion at its headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., as well as its New York office.

Facebook Seattle site lead Paul Carduner said at a media event Wednesday that the company now has more than 500 employees in Seattle, adding:

We’re super-excited to have this space. It’s been a long time coming.

When asked about Facebook’s tradition of not including ceiling panels at its offices, Carduner said, as reported by GeekWire:

That’s to remind us that our work is never finished, just like the space we work in. (Gehry is) down with that, yeah. I think (Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg) convinced him.

Readers: Are you surprised at Facebook’s rapid expansion in Seattle?

Image courtesy of Dexter Station.