Facebook Announced New Campus Tech Plans

Facebook announced its plans for a new tech campus, but critics say these company communities can be too insular for their own good. Based in Menlo Park California, across the street from its current headquarters, the “Willow Campus” will include on-site retail stores, gardens, restaurants and patios. The new 1.75 million square feet of office space will be used as an addition to its current office space. Additionally, Facebook also plans to build 1,500 units of housing.

Facebook’s fancy tech campus will be on par with those of other tech giants such as Google and Apple. Google’s tech campus, which is located in Mountain View, has similar recreational facilities for its employees. Apple’s former CEO Steve Jobs had presented plans six years ago for a tech campus as well. It’s campus was opened this April.

While these tech companies are both appealing and convenient for its employees, some critics say that these insular communities could affect diversity, as well as the surrounding area. Because everything is located within the campus, the employees never feel the need to leave. The facilities are so self-sustaining that they do not benefit the surrounding towns and communities.

Facebook hopes to alleviate these concerns by combining the Willow Park campus with the surrounding Menlo Park community. They are planning on opening up the campus retail facilities to locals, as well as encouraging Facebook employees to visit the surrounding community. Construction for the grocery, retail, housing and office portions of the campus should be completed by 2021, Facebook says.