Amazon has announced that it is resuming construction on the 42-story office tower in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, after a pause that lasted several years. The company had halted work on the tower back in 2022, with 22 floors remaining unfinished due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of the pandemic on in-office work. CEO Andy Jassy had stated that Amazon was shifting towards hybrid and remote work arrangements at that time, but the company has since revised its stance and now requires employees to be in the office for at least three days a week.

In December, Amazon opened the first half of the 42-story office tower, named “Sonic,” in Bellevue and relocated around 1,000 employees into the building. Upon completion later this year, Sonic is expected to accommodate over 4,500 employees in total. This move is part of Amazon’s strategy to expand its footprint beyond its Seattle headquarters, with the company actively acquiring office space in various locations. The Seattle campus currently comprises more than 40 office buildings spread across tens of millions of square feet.

Amazon has expressed its intention to hire 25,000 employees in the Bellevue area, with plans for multiple office buildings in the region. In addition to the Sonic tower, which has already opened partially, other projects like Dynamo have been completed and are operational. Of significance is the upcoming 43-story tower known as the “Bellevue 600” project, which will offer approximately 1 million square feet of office space once finished.

While progress is being made in Bellevue, some of Amazon’s other office developments are still on hold. Last year, the company announced the pause in the construction of the second phase of its Northern Virginia campus, dubbed HQ2. This phase, titled PenPlace, includes multiple office buildings, retail spaces, and a towering structure called “The Helix.” The initial phase of HQ2 was launched recently, but the remaining construction is currently paused.

The resumption of construction in Bellevue signifies Amazon’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region and creating a substantial commercial hub. The completion of projects like the Bellevue 600 tower will not only provide office space for thousands of employees but also contribute to the growth and development of the Seattle suburb of Bellevue.