Amazon HQ2 thread - Page 199

chris08876 · #**3961** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:19 PM**

That IDK. But long term, I read up to 40k jobs and 4-8 mil-sq ft over 15 years.

The lease sounds short term until the real HQ properties are built. I suspect this is short term. Unless they just buy all of One Court Square. The whole tower is 1.4 mil sq ft. Just a fraction of the projected 4-8 mil sq ft.

montréaliste · #**3962** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA21st

I've never heard LA called a backwater before.

I guess that's the east coast insecurity coming back.

I don't understand how the Amazon move has brought out all these NYC/DC bragging stuff. Would Chicagoans do the same? I doubt it

Yes, and if Chicago had got it, they would stomp all over that "backwater" for dishing out a billion smackeroos. Go figure.

JoeMusashi · #**3963** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:32 PM**

I'll just respond to everyone in one post. I don't think I am being understood about why every other city is a backwater compared to DC and NYC. Amazon doesn't want to be just another powerful regional company, they want to connected to government. The most powerful interests in the nation are all located in DC and the people who work for them are apart of the same clique. Call it what you want, the Washington Establishment, military industrial complex, Deep State, the Swamp, capital of the world, etc. Amazon will be more intertwined and married to this.

You can't get this anywhere else in the country. New York is also unique in its financial, economic and cultural power that stretches the globe. I think building a workforce in Washington makes Amazon even more influential and powerful.

I can assure you that Bezos is more worried about being near congressmen, foreign dignitaries, military/intelligence figures, the news media, and other powerful interests more than he is his workers enjoying mass transit, abortions, and smoking dope.

C. · #**3964** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:33 PM**

For a second there I thought Savannah, Georgia was also getting a piece of the HQ2 action

dimondpark · #**3965** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMusashi

San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, LA, Atlanta....all are backwaters or well, lesser swamps than the ultimate ones out East.

LOL SF? SF is quite possibly the only major city that was born a major city.

Khantilever · #**3966** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by antinimby

You nailed it.

The three headquarter cities (Seattle, NY, DC) just so happens to be where his homes are. It is not a coincidence.

His Manhattan home was purchased for his parents back in 1999. What's the simpler explanation behind the connection?

1) That the richest man on Earth kept this random home in Manhattan for nearly 20 years in anticipation of HQ2.

2) Or that the locations of his homes and HQ2s were independently determined, i.e. his homes went to some of the most important and desirable cities in the country, NYC and DC, and Amazon's new HQ2/2s went to some of the most important and desirable cities in the country, NYC and DC.

chris08876 · #**3967** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 8:48 PM**

• Video Link

Some juicy details. Watching it now. 150k average salary.

LA21st · #**3968** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:00 PM**

Good for NYC and DC. Just don't see the need for overly boasting here. That's just me .

skyscraperpage17 · #**3969** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khantilever

His Manhattan home was purchased for his parents back in 1999. What's the simpler explanation behind the connection?

1) That the richest man on Earth kept this random home in Manhattan for nearly 20 years in anticipation of HQ2.

2) Or that the locations of his homes and HQ2s were independently determined, i.e. his homes went to some of the most important and desirable cities in the country, NYC and DC, and Amazon's new HQ2/2s went to some of the most important and desirable cities in the country, NYC and DC.

The man literally said he would go with his heart for HQ2.

He's made it pretty clear over time that his heart is in those 2 cities.

C. · #**3970** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:11 PM**

But now, the 18 cities Amazon passed up for HQ2 can get a special "sorry" message tailored to their city.

Here's how Alexa said she's sorry to Austin:

"Ok, Austin, maybe we do owe you an apology over this whole HQ2 thing. You're feeling like we lead you on -- for months. But if it makes things any better, it's not your lack of infrastructure and incentives -- it's us. The idea of trying to 'keep it weird' all the time, year in and year out, until radical economic paradigm shift do us part...that's just a lot of pressure. Ok, it's also your bats. Honestly, bats just really freak us out. You say they're regular bats, but what if they're not? For all we know, you're all secretly vampires. Like a sanctuary city for vampires who love tacos. Sorry, this is coming out all wrong. You know, it's hard for us too. We're really going to miss your barbeque. And your artisanal graffiti. Hey, do you think you could Prime Now us some Franklin's? Just this once? For old time's sake?"

https://www.kvue.com/article/tech/a-sanc...snt-building-hq2-in-austin/269-614196340

The North One · #**3971** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:14 PM**

This is the dumbest shit ever.

dimondpark · #**3972** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA21st

Good for NYC and DC. Just don't see the need for overly boasting here. That's just me .

Im sorry but not getting HQ2 for a city like LA, which is already expensive and desirable, imo, amounts to dodging a bullet.

I dont see how poor Arlington can avoid becoming the next SF with $5000 1bd rentals.

chris08876 · #**3973** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:47 PM**

Listening to what Deblasio is saying, it sounds like what I suspected, a bulk of the 50k jobs will be in LIC. "Projected" up to 40k long term.

I doubt Crystal city will get 25k jobs. The bulk will be in LIC.

JoeMusashi · #**3974** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimondpark

LOL SF? SF is quite possibly the only major city that was born a major city.

I'm not talking about population or history. San Francisco is a political backwater in comparison to Washington. Its influence is in technology not politics. It's not even an influential political city in Democratic circles, as California means little in regards to national elections other than fundraising. The battleground states that decide who controls the levers of power are elsewhere.

PremierAtlanta · #**3975** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 9:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876

Listening to what Deblasio is saying, it sounds like what I suspected, a bulk of the 50k jobs will be in LIC. "Projected" up to 40k long term.

I doubt Crystal city will get 25k jobs. The bulk will be in LIC.

So you think the jobs split will be 40k for LIC (NYC) and 10k for National Landing (Arlington/Alexandria). Those weren't the numbers released by Gov. Northam at today's 1:30 Amazon announcement.

lio45 · #**3976** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 10:00 PM**

What exactly was the deal with the NY Governor legally changing his name...? Does he get to weasel out of it because Northern VA gets a piece of the action too?

N90 · #**3977** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 10:02 PM**

Governor Cuomo looks gassed out in that video... like he just ran thru a tunnel while trying to eat his bagel on the way to the press conf....

iheartthed · #**3978** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 10:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMusashi

I'm not talking about population or history. San Francisco is a political backwater in comparison to Washington. Its influence is in technology not politics. It's not even an influential political city in Democratic circles, as California means little in regards to national elections other than fundraising. The battleground states that decide who controls the levers of power are elsewhere.

You're giving Washington waaaaay too much credit. It is not London or Paris. For all this talk of backwaters, Washington is the only major city that was literally meant to be a backwater.

The only consideration a company gets from being near Washington is a leg up on government contracts. Being in Washington does make sense for Amazon to tap into a bunch of tech talent with security clearances, which they can use to work federal projects. I doubt much of the Amazon work done in Crystal City will ever be consumer facing.

Mentallect · #**3979** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMusashi

I'll just respond to everyone in one post. I don't think I am being understood about why every other city is a backwater compared to DC and NYC. Amazon doesn't want to be just another powerful regional company, they want to connected to government. The most powerful interests in the nation are all located in DC and the people who work for them are apart of the same clique. Call it what you want, the Washington Establishment, military industrial complex, Deep State, the Swamp, capital of the world, etc. Amazon will be more intertwined and married to this.

You can't get this anywhere else in the country. New York is also unique in its financial, economic and cultural power that stretches the globe. I think building a workforce in Washington makes Amazon even more influential and powerful.

I can assure you that Bezos is more worried about being near congressmen, foreign dignitaries, military/intelligence figures, the news media, and other powerful interests more than he is his workers enjoying mass transit, abortions, and smoking dope.

Anyone with business acumen understand DC and NYC were chosen for 3 reasons:

1. Amazon wishes to connect with the nation's political power base.

2. Amazon wants to be near the world's media and financial center.

3. Amazon wants his mini-HQs near where he already own homes.

toddguy · #**3980** Posted **Nov 13, 2018, 10:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lio45

What exactly was the deal with the NY Governor legally changing his name...? Does he get to weasel out of it because Northern VA gets a piece of the action too?

He should be legally REQUIRED to change it! Amazon should demand it!

Otherwise he has to admit that NYC will not really be a headquarters and that DC/Crystal City will be the dominant one! lol