Apple Brochure Pitches 'Spaceship' Campus to Neighbors
Apple has prepared a brochure for its neighbors that outlines what's in store for its new spaceship-like campus.
Though the Cupertino City Council appears poised to approve whatever plans Apple puts forward for its new "spaceship" campus, Apple has prepared a brochure for its neighbors that outlines what's in store.
The document, obtained by 9to5Mac, includes a letter from Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer, who insists that "respect for our neighbors was a priority as we designed Apple Campus 2."
As KTVU reported last year, some residents have expressed concern about traffic and the environmental impacts of the circular structure.
The brochure talks up the transportation options provided to Apple employees to reduce vehicle traffic - from shuttles and bike shares to carpooling and walking. The four-story complex will be outfitted with a restaurant, fitness center, and other amenities, reducing the need for employees to leave. Most of the parking will be underground so that 80 percent of the land, most of which was in 2009, will be landscaping.
"The campus will be clean, with no manufacturing or heavy industrial activity onsite," Oppenheimer writes.
"The main building will be set back from the street. By keeping the majority of existing trees along the perimeter - and planting additional perimeter trees and thousands of new ones throughout the interior - the building will fade into the landscape," he continues. "What's currently a sea of asphalt will be transformed into nearly 120 acres of green space."
For those hoping to wander the grounds, Oppenheimer sadly notes that Apple Campus 2 will be closed to the public.
The city council is expected to approve Apple's plans later this year, at which point Apple will break ground immediately. The four-story complex will house approximately 13,000 Apple employees and is expected to be operational by 2015.
Last year, Cupertino Mayor Gilbert Wong said "there is no chance that we're saying no," to the project, though he later tempered that by stating that "nothing is a sure thing."
Steve Jobs before the city council in June 2011 to present Apple's plans. Jobs said it has a "spaceship" quality, with a courtyard in the middle. Apple will retain its current headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop.