OpenAI is significantly expanding its presence in Bellevue, Washington, with a new lease that increases its office space to 296,000 square feet. This move allows the company to accommodate more than 1,000 employees, up from its previous occupancy of two floors in the City Center Plaza.
This expansion positions OpenAI close to key partners such as Microsoft and Amazon, which play crucial roles in its cloud infrastructure and services. Microsoft, a primary investor, has contributed billions and provides the Azure cloud support essential for OpenAI's operations. In November, OpenAI also secured a $38 billion cloud deal with Amazon, which is reportedly considering an investment of up to $50 billion in the company.
Since establishing its Bellevue office in 2024, OpenAI's workforce in the Seattle area has grown from approximately 169 to over 300 employees. Recent reports suggest that the average stock-based compensation for OpenAI employees may reach around $1.5 million, reflecting the competitive nature of talent acquisition in the tech industry.