Over a year has passed since construction work began on the new
Phase II building that will soon be a key part of Pixar's Emeryville, CA headquarters. The building, located on the southwest corner of Pixar's property, near the corner of Park Avenue and Hollis Street, is about halfway complete. It's scheduled to be occupied by this time next year.
Phase II is the most important expansion of Pixar's facilities since the studio moved to Emeryville in November 2000. It appears that much of what's currently in the original building —entire departments— will be moved into the Phase II building, which will have plenty of space to accommodate hundreds of employees.
Besides the expansion of certain departments, what will all that freed-up space in the original building be used for? Nobody outside the studio knows for sure, but it wouldn't be surprising to see, for example, RenderMan development move in. Right now, the team is based in a satellite office in Seattle.
Another possibility is Pixar bringing in child care. Currently, the daycare for employees' children is located in nearby Berkeley. An in-house childcare centre (similar to what Lucasfilm provides at its HQ) would allow Pixarians to be closer to their kids, and save them a stop on the way to work.
Whatever the case may be, Phase II will greatly expand Pixar's capacity to grow. Remember, the new building will have its own set of facilities, like a second café (along the lines of Cafe Luxo in the main building), theatre and screening rooms, game area (think pool table, arcade games), etc. This is essential when you consider how many new employees are being hired by the studio.
Below are almost one dozen pictures of construction on Phase II I took while visiting Pixar earlier this month. I hope I'll have the chance to go back next spring to check out the finished building.
Further details on the Phase II project can be found in
this post, including site plans and information on the design team.
Construction as seen from inside the campus.
Approaching the first entrance into construction zone on Park Ave, walking left from Pixar gate.
Looking in. The current building can be seen in the background.
Construction notice as required by city by-laws.
A group of friendly construction workers from contractor
Hathaway Dinwiddie. The Pixar attitude seems to have rubbed off on them.
Looking into the construction site through the rosebush hedge that surrounds most of the property.
Walking towards Hollis Street
An artist's rendering of what the new building's interior will look like when completed. Simply beautiful architecture. (Source:
Aurora Development)
The final installment of the Visiting Pixar series will be published in June. A detailed chronological account of my trip to Pixar and Skywalker Sound, it will feature many new images including never before seen concept art from Toy Story 3
.
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