OREANDA-NEWS. GE (NYSE: GE) today released detailed plans for its new global headquarters campus in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood of Boston, Mass. The campus is scheduled to open in two phases in 2018 and will ultimately host approximately 800 GE employees as well as collaborators from the innovation, start-up and learning communities.

“We want our campus to be a global epicenter of innovation, a place to foster relationships among our employees and the greater community,” said Ann R. Klee, head of Boston Development and Operations for GE. “Our headquarters is designed to engage and leverage the talent, technology and work ethic of Fort Point and greater Boston, while also giving back to the community through investment, rehabilitation and an inviting public space.”

As part of the construction process, GE will rehabilitate two historic brick buildings and construct a new 12-story building connected by a bridge and a pedestrian-only walkway. The architect for the project is Gensler. The 2.4-acre campus will include:

  • Maker space for GE employees and co-collaborators, as well as hands-on classroom workspace for tech start-ups, university and high school students and the community to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM);
  • Convener space for presentations and events for GE and the community;
  • Community work lounge for visitor reception with a variety of options for employees, customers, and public visitors to use as a “co-work” area;
  • Laboratory space where GE will to engage 6-12 early stage life sciences companies to develop innovative co-created products;
  • Innovation and exploration center highlighting the past, present, and future of GE; and
  • Employee community space including a cafeteria and other amenities.

The new and improved public outdoor space, including an expanded Harborwalk, will be about 1.5 acres and will invigorate access to the area. The campus will also feature a public coffee bar and a bistro-style restaurant.

Continuing its global commitment to the environment, the GE headquarters campus will be in the top quintile of similar buildings using the Energy Use Index and will be LEED version 4. Key “green” features include encouragement of public transportation, walking or biking for employees and visitors (the site will have only 30 parking spots), reuse of existing buildings, a rooftop solar system, and green, vegetated roof areas. In addition, given its proximity to the Fort Point Channel, the buildings will be resilient to sea level rise by raising the ground floors and critical systems, as well as landscape design.

The project is intended to be completed in two phases. The first phase of construction includes preservation and rehabilitation of the existing brick buildings, to begin in the 4th Quarter of 2016. The anticipated occupancy of the brick buildings will be in the 1st Quarter of 2018. The second phase of construction will begin in the 1st Quarter of 2017 with occupancy of the new building anticipated later in 2018.

“We are excited to present these plans today and will continue to work closely with the neighborhood, city and state to move forward together,” said Klee. “GE expects our new HQ will transform the existing, unused site into a hub of technology, innovation, and intellectual stimulation as well as become a new meaningful destination on the City’s Harborwalk,” she said.