Sounds like it might be interesting.

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/brierdudley/2007/09/microsoft_finally_expanding_in_1.html

Microsoft finally expanding in Seattle proper
Posted by Brier Dudley at 10:22 AM

It took 32 years, but Microsoft appears to be finally crossing Lake Washington and opening a significant office in Seattle.

That's how I'm reading a press advisory issued this morning, setting up a news conference that Microsoft is holding Thursday morning at Paul Allen's real estate sales office in South Lake Union.

Headlined "Microsoft Expands Presence in Seattle," the advisory says the conference is being held "to unveil future plans for Microsoft Corp.'s Seattle expansion."

The release notes that the event is across the street from a new building complex under construction at 2200 Westlake, across the street from Whole Foods.

Microsoft has had several outposts in the city over the years, including the former Visio offices near the Pike Place Market, an online research group operating in the Smith Tower and the downtown offices of its newly acquired aQuantive subsidiary.

Yet the company has never bought or leased a large, marquee building in Seattle. That's a marked contrast to its sprawling campus in Redmond, which has filled a large part of the Overlake area with dozens of big, free-standing mid-rise office buildings.

Paul Allen may have called on his old pal Bill Gates to fill buildings that were originally pitched as biotech offices.

But I'll bet Google was a bigger reason for Microsoft to finally move west. The two companies are in a pitched battle for software talent, especially recent college graduates with the latest skills.

Google now has a bigger variety of Seattle-area offices to offer, including space in Fremont and its new campus in Kirkland. A Microsoft office in South Lake Union, walking distance to downtown and Belltown, could even things up.

(Though Microsoft may have second thoughts after it sees how the streetcar Allen demanded for his real estate venture has destroyed Westlake, making it a huge pain to drive from the neighborhood to I-5 and on to Redmond.)

Update:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoft/2003870217_webmicrosoft05.html

Wow, that's good news that they decided to expand into downtown area rather than out in the suburbs. :)

Let's see what else they have to say tomorrow. Sounds like it could be even more space on this side of the Lake.

My assessment of this is: They can't keep up with what they've got going in Redmond/Bellevue. Microsoft also has a significant amount of employees who live in Seattle, and when the time comes for 520 bridge replacement, I imagine it'd be better that they have some place for their Seattle workers to be on this side of the lake. Of course, I know that they have divisions in specific buildings, but maybe they can morph away from that in the future.

One thing for sure, I think this may have helped the value of the Clise Properties. Wouldn't it be great if Microsoft got an Urban Campus in the Triangle?

^^ That would be great and help boost the developments in that neighborhood for sure!

I'm glad to hear that Microsoft is still doing well and expanding and create thousands of new jobs for years from now. I think its smart decision to have some offices on Westlake avenue since streetcars will pass just next to their offices. It should help handle some of traffics. Also it will help boosts customers in that area. That could attract more retailers and restaurants to open in that neighborhood.

(Though Microsoft may have second thoughts after it sees how the streetcar Allen demanded for his real estate venture has destroyed Westlake, making it a huge pain to drive from the neighborhood to I-5 and on to Redmond.)

I don't get this. A Trolley has destroyed Westlake? Who is making that comment?

^
The first article I posted was a blog. That was the blogger's opinion.

^^ I don't think streetcar destoryed Westlake at all. Streetcars is one of best things ever happen to Seattle.

Westlake has never looked better, but BOY are there a lot of traffic lights all of sudden over around 2200! Looks like they're getting reading for 2-way service in that area with many streets all meeting: Westlake, Lenora, Blanchard, 9th and Denny. It's already a mess right now as for some reason the traffic lights through Denny are no longer in sync (due to construction vehicles perhaps?). I'll probably start making wide circles around that area.

Very nice. This is now confirmed:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003871597_webmicrosoft06.html

It's in the P-I as well. I'm very happy to see MS expanding in Seattle. Hopefully they will have good success and keep it coming.

The bus service sounds really interesting as well - nice!

Ahh, so they're moving into the Westlake/Terry Building, not the Enso as was rumored before?

They likely will do both eventually.

I thought Amazon was seriously looking at Enso.

Details from the PSBJ.

Microsoft signs big South Lake Union lease
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - 9:33 AM PDT Thursday, September 6, 2007

Microsoft said it's leasing 166,000 square feet of space at three locations in the city of Seattle, with the largest lease in the Westlake/Terry Building in South Lake Union.

The Redmond software giant (NASDAQ: MSFT) said after employees move into the spaces, coupled with its recent purchase of aQuantive Inc., it will employ 1,400 people in Seattle at seven separate locations.

Microsoft's lease in the Westlake/Terry Building is for four floors in the six-story building, where 400 of its employees will work beginning March 2008, including 200 from its online services business. Ironically, Microsoft Corp. is leasing the space from Vulcan Inc., the real estate company owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Also, Microsoft said the South Lake Union space will be used by 150 workers as "touch-down" space for employees who want to work temporarily in Seattle or who don't want to commute to the Eastside.

Microsoft said its other leases are 36,000 square feet for 120 employees at 111 S. Jackson St., located in Pioneer Square, and 4,000 square feet for 20 employees of the Microsoft Robotics Group at 505 Union Station.

"Clearly this is a great day for Seattle, but it is also a great day for Microsoft's employees and the environment. It's a move where everybody wins," said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, in a statement.

^
The first article I posted was a blog. That was the blogger's opinion.

Gotcha. I thought that could of been the deal. Sad that some people feel that way.

In more Microsoft news:

Microsoft giving workers free ride -- with its own bus service (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/330745_msfttranspo07.html)

It's a pretty lengthy article so I just linked to it. I think this will really give alot of visibility to the massive transit problem the region is experiencing. You know the situation is dire when a private company is being forced to provide their own transit system in order to attract and retain talent.

In more Microsoft news:

Microsoft giving workers free ride -- with its own bus service (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/330745_msfttranspo07.html)

It's a pretty lengthy article so I just linked to it. I think this will really give alot of visibility to the massive transit problem the region is experiencing. You know the situation is dire when a private company is being forced to provide their own transit system in order to attract and retain talent.

Lightrail can't get completed fast enough! Maybe Gatesypoo and his buddy Allen will cut a nice big fat check to help fast-track ST2 to 2015 and guarantee that it reaches Redmond? (A guy can dream, cant he :D)

Lightrail can't get completed fast enough! Maybe Gatesypoo and his buddy Allen will cut a nice big fat check to help fast-track ST2 to 2015 and guarantee that it reaches Redmond? (A guy can dream, cant he :D)

It would be really awesome if they do that! :)

this is fantastic news! great for downtown, slu and now even more people will be clamoring for lightrail

I am not sure if you guys are aware that Microsoft already have some offices in downtown Seattle for a while. It is located at East World Trade Center next to Art Institute of Seattle.

^
I think I recall noticing that recently. I think that might be one of those instances where MS bought out another software company, and of course changed their name to Microsoft. But they kept the old company's offices.

Yeah, MS bought Visio and got that office near the Art Institute.

I am not sure if you guys are aware that Microsoft already have some offices in downtown Seattle for a while. It is located at East World Trade Center next to Art Institute of Seattle.

I heard they also have approx. 400 employees in a building one block south from the Jackson federal building on 2nd and marion.

I didn't know that Microsoft bought Visco and changed it to Microsoft and keep the office there. I thought Microsoft just want to have campuses at different locations just like what Microsoft is doing to Redmond, Bellevue, Issaqah and Seattle.

Also I noticed something irony... Bill Gates and his wife are building their Gates Foundation Headquarters just across Seattle Center. Now Microsoft is planning to have Seattle campus which is just few blocks away from new Gates Foundation Headquarters. It could be easier for Bill Gates to take care of his companies in same area.

Now Microsoft is planning to have Seattle campus which is just few blocks away from new Gates Foundation Headquarters. It could be easier for Bill Gates to take care of his companies in same area.


Not really.

Not really.

I read that Bill Gates plan to stay involved with Microsoft as part time while he works at Gates Foundation.