Facebook Housing

Facebook, the world’s most popular social media platform, recently announced its intention to create “a luxurious housing estate next to its California based headquarters.” The new Facebook housing development is set to cost a jaw dropping $120 million or £75 million. Recent reports in the Wall Street Journal, state that the Facebook Housing development is set to include a total of 394 individual apartments a communal swimming pool, a spa and even a sports bar.

Plans state that the future residents of the Anton Menlo complex will be able to leave their dogs at a dedicated day care centre whilst they are working.

Further services include a bike repair shop where unexpected punctures on resident’s bikes will be quickly remedied. In addition residents have a choice of three uniquely themed roof terraces on which to relax after a long day at the office.

The Facebook Housing development is set to consume a total of 650 square feet and will be built within walking distance of the Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park. At this stage Facebook states that the housing complex will be predominately available to their employees. Facebook revealed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that the development came about as employees had allegedly being asking the company about suitable locations to live near to the office complex. This is due to a shortage of housing availability in the Silicon Valley region. Facebook has stated its intention to make these apartments available to their employees at market rates. However the company also announced that it would be setting a number of apartment’s aside in order to provide the companies lower earners with housing.

Facebook’s director of real estate, John Tenances who is heavily involved in the new Facebook Housing project, stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, “The beauty of the project is that it is extremely close to our campus.” He revealed that the new development was a mere “five minute bike ride” from the office complex. He further explained that employees would be able to take a path which runs around the San Franciscan bay.

It was not too long ago that Facebook moved its headquarters to the former Sun Microsystems campus in Menlo Park during December 2011. However since the move the company has prospered, recent reports have revealed the company’s ambition to create an additional wing to their existing campus. Allegedly the world famous architect Frank Gehry is set to design the extension. Currently Facebook staff members are able to help themselves to unlimited coffee and frozen yoghurt whilst at work. Additionally a number of the interior wall designs are painted with modern graffiti designs and cartoon characters.

Recently, in the San Francisco Chronicle a Facebook spokeswoman explained the company’s employee ethics, “Facebook is a strong supporter of its local community and consistently recognised as one of the best places in the world to work.” In another statement she explained how the forthcoming housing project fits into this ideology. “This project advances both goals, by providing our employees an excellent new housing option within walking distance to campus, while investing in new housing opportunities in our local community.”

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