Microsoft moves to Redmond

26th February 1986
Microsoft moves to Redmond

In January 1985, Microsoft decided to move its corporate headquarters from Bellevue to Redmond, Washington. Construction work began on August 9 1985, and Microsoft moved into the new facility on February 26, 1986.

The campus was situated on a 30-acre site. In the 1920s, the same site had been home to a chicken farm. Six buildings were initially built, nicknamed "X-Wing" buildings because of their shape. These buildings were arranged around a pond which was nicknamed "Lake Bill", after Bill Gates. The pond was used for company celebrations, with managers being thrown in after successful product launches.

Related information:

Images:

  • Trivet, employee gift, showing the "X-Wing" Microsoft Redmond buildings.
    Credit: Jerry Joyce & Microsoft. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.


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