Amazon is looking more likely to set up its second headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, according to a new report from The Washington Post. The retail giant is said to have held "advanced discussions” about creating a second headquarters in the city which would bring with it 50,000 new jobs. The firm has held discussions with other cities too, but these were more detailed.
While Amazon refused to pass comment on the news, CEO Jeff Bezos told an audience in New York:
“Ultimately the decision will be made with intuition after gathering and studying a lot of data — for a decision like that, as far as I know, the best way to make it is you collect as much data as you can, you immerse yourself in that data but then you make the decision with your heart.”
The sources suggested that the real estate developer, JBG Smith, has already taken some of its properties off the leasing market in anticipation of the deal being struck. If Amazon does move to the city, it will likely move several hundred employees to 1851 S. Bell Street or 1770 Crystal Drive at first. Potomac Yard, in Alexandria, was another site included in the bid.
If the deal does go through, Amazon and city officials in the area plan to make an announcement as early as this month after the midterm elections.
Source: The Washington Post via CNBC