Amazon celebrated the opening of The Meadow, a new 1.75-acre public open space, at its Bellevue 600 (B600) office development on April 27. The company marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials and community partners. This initiative underscores Amazon's growing investment in the Puget Sound region.
The Meadow, located atop the future site of B600 Tower 2, is designed as an interim activation space for the community. It features 'The Moon, the Earth and Us,' an art installation by Oliver Jeffers comprising two hand-painted sculptures of the Moon and Earth, scaled to reflect their actual distance. Amazon acquired the piece last December.
The urban park also boasts 100% native flowering plant species, creating an immersive garden aimed at supporting local pollinators like birds and bees. This project highlights Amazon's commitment to integrating public spaces within its corporate developments.
Growing with Bellevue
Sean Lee, vice president of corporate real estate & facilities at Amazon, stated that the company's vision in Bellevue is to "grow alongside this community." He emphasized that opening the Meadow during development phases allows the community to gather and enjoy the space immediately. This initiative is a product of strong partnerships with the city of Bellevue and its community organizations.
Amazon's employee base in Bellevue has expanded significantly, growing from 450 in 2017 to over 15,000 today, establishing it as the city's largest employer. The B600 development represents Amazon's first self-developed project in Bellevue. The company has also committed substantial funds to local infrastructure, including $22.6 million for transportation projects and $100 million for affordable housing initiatives in Bellevue, demonstrating a broad investment strategy beyond its immediate real estate footprint.