Skip to main content

New Apple headquarters will cost more than the new World Trade Center to construct

applehqBefore his death in 2011, Steve Jobs described the future corporate campus for Apple – which, at that time, was in the planning stages and requiring permissions from Cupertino City Council – as both “the best office building in the world” and “a little like a spaceship.” Two years on, that last line is beginning to seem particularly appropriate as the costs of constructing the new campus are heading into the stratosphere, with new projections shooting upward of $5 billion.

The new figure is significantly higher than the less than $3 billion estimate originally given for the project, which will see the addition of more than 6,000 trees to the area to hide roads and traffic from view. The project will also create a massive, 40-foot tall floor-to-ceiling concave glass panels for a building that is expected to house more than 12,000 employees at any one time.

The concave glass panels were a selling feature, according to Jobs. During his presentation to the Cupertino Council for planning permission, he admitted that “there isn’t a straight piece of glass on the whole building.” The panels are meant to harken back to the groundbreaking “invisible” glass stairs of multiple Apple stores around the world, and are to be manufactured by the same company, Seele. Unfortunately, in order to manufacture panels at the necessary size, Seele will have to do so in a plant in Germany, and air-ship them to the U.S. – just one reason why the costs for this project have risen so dramatically from earlier estimates.

The start date for the construction project has been delayed from its original 2012 date to later this year. Apple plans to start demolishing existing buildings on the site this June, according to reports, in part because the company has been working with architects to cut costs as much as possible. A report in Bloomberg Businessweek, citing anonymous sources close to the project, suggests that Apple is looking to cut as much as $1 billion from the project before construction begins, and has been working with Foster + Partners – the lead architecture firm on the job, known for the Hearst Tower in New York – to make this happen.

One of the difficulties in finding ways to reduce the budget for the project without compromising Jobs’ vision for the campus. Following his death, staying true to what Jobs wanted from projects at the company took on a new importance that was difficult to move away without seeming disrespectful to his memory. However, such changes will have to be made by those responsible for the new headquarters. Otherwise, Apple’s new headquarters will have the dubious honor of being known as the corporate HQ that cost more to build than the World Trade Center rebuilding project.

Editors' Recommendations

Graeme McMillan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A transplant from the west coast of Scotland to the west coast of America, Graeme is a freelance writer with a taste for pop…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more