Amazing company headquarters that have to be seen to be believed
Office heaven
Quirky, cutting-edge, and brimming with cool facilities, the world's most amazing company HQs are not only inspiring places to work but also dreamy locations to spend your 9-5.
From Coca-Cola's creative Madrid workspace to Etsy's hipster Brooklyn paradise, read on to explore some of the most incredible HQs on the planet.
Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty
Bahnhof – Stockholm, Sweden
Stark and futuristic, this other-worldly workplace is located underneath Stockholm's Vita Berg Park and houses the headquarters of Bahnhof, the ultra-secure internet service provider that used to host Wikileaks.
Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty
Bahnhof – Stockholm, Sweden
Bahnhof's premises has its own air and water supply, as well as a number of water features, including a colossal 687 gallon (2,600ltr) saltwater fish tank. The space, which was once a nuclear bunker, is filled with artificial daylight for added ambience.
Jon Karlung, founder of Bahnhof, told writer Doug Alger that the styling of the company's underground HQ was inspired by "one-part James Bond and one part Star Trek or science-fiction movies".
Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty
Bahnhof – Stockholm, Sweden
Special lighting is also used to grow a variety of plants, fruits, and vegetables, which are nurtured in the facility's growth areas.
The plants provide extra oxygen and help to enhance the moods of the subterranean employees.
Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty
Bahnhof – Stockholm, Sweden
Undoubtedly the place to be if disaster strikes, the rock-solid bunker facility boasts two hardcore back-up power generators that can run for an inordinate amount of time should the unthinkable happen.
Bahnhof – Stockholm, Sweden
Bahnhof's underground facility could perhaps be described as the safest office in the world.
After all, it's secured by a 16-inch-thick steel door and sits beneath almost 100ft (30m) of granite. It's been built to withstand a nuclear bomb and the whole gamut of natural disasters.
Google – Mountain View, USA
While it now has more than 70 offices in 50 countries, Google's so-called "Googleplex" HQ in Mountain View, California, is still its most iconic location.
Boasting 2,045,142sqft (190,000sqm) of office space, it's home to some seriously impressive features...
Google – Mountain View, USA
Employees at the sprawling HQ are showered with perks and spoiled for choice when it comes to facilities.
The Googleplex has its very own bowling alley, not to mention pool tables, retro arcade games, and volleyball courts.
Google – Mountain View, USA
Employees rave about the free food on offer at the Googleplex cafes, which range from fresh sushi (pictured) to authentic Indian street food.
Staff are entitled to free meals throughout the day and can also help themselves to snacks from the campus's various micro-kitchens if they feel peckish.
Google – Mountain View, USA
Fitness fans can work out in one of the campus's many wellbeing centres, as well as take advantage of free personal training sessions in the superbly well-equipped onsite gyms. There's even a climbing wall and a swimming pool.
Google – Mountain View, USA
Google employees get to enjoy free haircuts and can drop into the on-site salon for a trim or blow dry whenever the mood takes them.
Other amazing perks used to include free electric car rides, massage chairs, and even sleep pods.
While some of these benefits were cut post-Covid, many of them have since been restored in a bid to encourage remote-working staff to come back to the office.
Medibank – Melbourne, Australia
Medibank's HQ in Melbourne's Docklands area reflects the Australian health insurer's strong ethos and focuses particularly on the wellbeing of its employees.
So it's little wonder that the office space has been dubbed "the healthiest building in the world". Designed by Hassell Studio, the 328,000sqft (30,472sqm) building comprises a unique set of spaghetti-style staircases, which wind from floor to floor and make it easier to get from one location to another.
This quirky approach is fully intentional, with the goal of encouraging staff to use the stairs rather than get in the elevator.
Medibank – Melbourne, Australia
Staff are kitted out with laptops and have the freedom to work wherever they want – and however they want, too.
A significant proportion opt to stand rather than be stuck behind a desk all day, which is another nod to the importance Medibank holds by its staff's wellbeing.
Medibank – Melbourne, Australia
Therapeutic colours, from calming blues to uplifting yellows, are used throughout the building, and the space is fitted with mood lighting that changes in intensity depending on the time of the day.
Medibank – Melbourne, Australia
The low-carbon building boasts thousands of plants, two external green walls, and even its very own edible garden, which offers plenty of healthy fruit, veggies, and herbs for staff to nibble on. Tasty.
Etsy – Brooklyn, New York, USA
Crafty e-commerce giant Etsy boasts a 200,000sqft (18,580sqm) HQ in Brooklyn, and it's a hipster's paradise.
Designed by leading architecture firm Gensler, Etsy's global headquarters is every bit as creative and conscientious as you'd imagine, featuring upcycled furniture, reclaimed wood, and toxin-free materials.
Etsy – Brooklyn, New York, USA
The fabulous "Etsytorium" lobby is a public space. Etsy puts on regular craft demos in this area, which is decorated with eco-friendly art by local creatives and Etsy members.
Etsy – Brooklyn, New York, USA
Much like the new Medicare building, there are no set workplaces in Etsy's Brooklyn HQ.
Staff can work wherever they like, from Wi-Fi hubs to comfy chill-out zones, and can help themselves to healthy free food as they please.
If things get too much throughout the day, the on-site "breathing room" offers free meditation and yoga classes.
Etsy – Brooklyn, New York, USA
Kicking back and having fun are both encouraged at Etsy HQ. As is the case with many trendy companies, the office has more than its fair share of ping-pong and pool tables, not to mention the odd grand piano, too...
Etsy – Brooklyn, New York, USA
To top it all off, Etsy's Brooklyn headquarters features one of the most enviable roof terraces in the whole of New York.
Stunning on sunny days and moonlit evenings alike, the swish rooftop garden offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.
Airbnb – San Francisco, USA
Set in an old warehouse, Airbnb's San Francisco headquarters has got it all going on, not least because of its cool global-inspired aesthetic.
After all, the stylish workplace is themed around a number of popular destinations that feature on the short-term property rental website...
Airbnb – San Francisco, USA
For example, the "Rye, Australia" office space gives a nod to exploring in the Outback.
It features a vintage travel trailer that doubles up as a private workspace, which is ideal for a discreet meeting or a much-needed afternoon nap.
Airbnb – San Francisco, USA
The Mumbai-inspired office area, meanwhile, is peppered with snug Eastern-inspired work areas that staff can use to get on with their tasks in peace.
Employees are also welcome to help themselves to the various snack stations that are dotted around.
Airbnb – San Francisco, USA
An elegant spot for grabbing a bite, the Cairo Cafe is inspired by a chic eatery in the Egyptian capital.
Designers from WRNS Studio have also recreated Airbnb rooms inspired by homes in Portici, Italy, as well as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Airbnb – San Francisco, USA
Another cool space at Airbnb HQ is based on the industrial-style aesthetic of a rental property in Johannesburg, South Africa (shown here).
Cleverly thought out, each of the differently themed spaces is designed to let in plenty of light and uplift the company's employees.
In fact, the company is so proud of its office that it offers tours to the general public, with money made from ticket sales donated to non-profit organisations.
Edmunds.com – Santa Monica, USA
American car sales website Edmunds.com has one of the coolest HQs in the world – and has the awards to prove it.
The Santa Monica based business has bagged several design accolades in recent times, and is regularly voted by employees as one of the best places to work in the US.
Edmunds.com – Santa Monica, USA
Located just a couple of miles away from Santa Monica State Beach, the automotive-themed "Edquarters" wows with a gravity-defying installation of 1966 and 2016 Corvettes that rotate above the reception area.
Edmunds.com – Santa Monica, USA
The 143,000sqft (13,285sqm) office is packed with fun facilities, like this 32ft (10m) stainless steel slide that connects the first and second floor.
Edmunds.com – Santa Monica, USA
The state-of-the-art dining area rocks a frozen yoghurt machine and toppings bar, as well as a 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood that's been repurposed as a beer and coffee bar.
Staff are also treated to daily deliveries of freebie fruit and a range of other tasty treats.
Edmunds.com – Santa Monica, USA
Impressively decorated with stunning vintage sports cars, the space boasts two colossal fish tanks that are home to around 160 tropical fish. There's also an arcade-style games room and a huge outdoor projector that is used to screen movies for employees and their families.
Microsoft – Redmond, USA
Microsoft's main campus is, much like the corporation itself, huge.
While most corporations will typically invest in one main central building, Microsoft's HQ comprises over 120 buildings that are spread across Redmond, Washington.
Because of the lush natural surroundings of the site, a lot of attention has been paid to cultivating outdoor spaces where employees can do everything from work on a project to tuck into lunch.
Microsoft – Redmond, USA
The Redmond campus is almost a city in itself, so it's no surprise that it's home to a wide range of restaurants and cafes that stretch far beyond the typical workplace cafeteria.
Microsoft – Redmond, USA
The campus also has an abundance of health facilities and playing fields where employees can enjoy games of frisbee or football.
In fact, it's so vast that Microsoft provides shuttle buses to make life easier for the employees who need to travel from one part of the campus to another.
Microsoft – Redmond, USA
Redmond is located in Washington, and is surrounded by rich forests and placid lakes. Just imagine how much more bearable your daily to-do list would be if you were surrounded by that much nature...
Courtesy of Peter Wurmli and Evolution Design
Google – Zurich, Switzerland
It's not just Google's central office in California that treats employees to all sorts of perks and curiosities: its HQ in Zurich is also full of playful details and unusual spaces.
Designed by the architects at Camenzind Evolution, employees were interviewed before the new look was finalised to ensure that the space would cater to their every need.
We wonder how many team members needed to request a huge slide before Google decided to make it happen...
Courtesy of Peter Wurmli and Evolution Design
Google – Zurich, Switzerland
The Zurich headquarters is full of greenery and relaxing spaces where employees can meet, chat, and bounce ideas.
Zurich is a large engineering centre for Google. When things get stressful, employees can head to the jungle-esque cafeteria to switch off and unwind, even if just for a few moments.
Courtesy of Peter Wurmli and Evolution Design
Google – Zurich, Switzerland
As is the case with any huge global organisation, employees often have to confer with colleagues who are based in other parts of the world.
These handy egg-shaped pods offer privacy for making overseas calls, as well as making a neat workspace for anyone who needs some quiet time.
Courtesy of Peter Wurmli and Evolution Design
Google – Zurich, Switzerland
There are also peaceful aquarium room and plenty of green spaces, which are the perfect antidote to the bleak Swiss winters.
Courtesy of Stone Designs
Coca-Cola – Madrid, Spain
Coca-Cola is one of the most identifiable brands in the world, and so its offices have to reflect that.
Its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, are no exception to this rule. Decked out in a carefully chosen palette of vibrant colours by Stone Designs, the goal was to create a welcoming and happy place for employees and visitors alike.
Courtesy of Stone Designs
Coca-Cola – Madrid, Spain
There are very few fixed office spaces within the premises, with a hot-desk environment cultivated instead.
Every space is tastefully decorated, with the company's bright red signature shade at the heart of the look.
Courtesy of Stone Designs
Coca-Cola – Madrid, Spain
Meeting rooms and workspaces are distributed over 8,000sqft (743sqm), which also includes a library and a gym.
There are also bright, motivating desk areas where employees can collaborate.
Courtesy of Stone Designs
Coca-Cola – Madrid, Spain
Staff rave about the cafeteria and dining opportunities at Coca-Cola Madrid – and it's little surprise. Who can deny that this looks a lot more exciting than the typical office canteen?
Swiss Consulate/Swissnex Innovation Hub – San Francisco, USA
While this office might not look quite as flashy as some of the others on our list, it's still pretty remarkable.
Located at San Francisco's historic Pier 17, this "Swiss House" has been designed as an innovation hub for businesses, government, and education working with Swiss agencies.
Steeped in history, it was a conscious choice to keep the original property's warehouse doors functioning, meaning that it can effectively operate as an open-air office.
Swiss Consulate/Swissnex Innovation Hub – San Francisco, USA
The interior is a flexible space that features co-working areas, exhibition zones, and even this repurposed ski-lift meeting pod, shipped in straight from the Alps.
Swiss Consulate/Swissnex Innovation Hub – San Francisco, USA
The minimalist design makes for a striking use of the warehouse's design.
The team at TEF Design oversaw the project and installed a variety of movable walls, large sliding doors, and clever lighting systems to give each area a distinctive feel without having to divide the space.
Swiss Consulate/Swissnex Innovation Hub – San Francisco, USA
That large warehouse door opens up onto San Francisco Bay, as well as the hustle and bustle of Pier 17.
This detail means that events held at the space can naturally flow outdoors and also helps to turn a largely utilitarian space into an exciting seafront vista.
Dropbox – San Francisco, USA
Also in San Francisco is the headquarters of Dropbox, with the space designed to be a charming tribute to the city itself.
The welcoming hallway features a series of huge mirrors, designed to reflect Dropbox's key proposition and philosophy: infinite depth of storage and possibility. Clever, right?
Dropbox – San Francisco, USA
The casual karaoke bar is inspired by the company's start-up days. It's styled to look like the cosy basement in your parents' house, and employees are encouraged to gather to play music and blow off steam. Dropbox hosts a happy hour every Friday.
Dropbox – San Francisco, USA
According to design teams AvroKo and Rapt Studio, who both worked on the aesthetic of the HQ, each room has a specific vision and purpose.
The space shown here, for example, is covered in Danish porcelain tiles, with the subtle colours and plants creating a peaceful mood that makes it the perfect setting for meetings.
Money.co.uk – Cirencester, UK
Before it relocated to London at the turn of the decade, financial comparison website Money.co.uk operated from within a stunning 10,000sqft (929sqm) castle in Cirencester, South West England.
The rooms of the stand-out setting were lavishly converted into quirky office spaces as part of a multi-million-pound refurbishment process that took around nine months to complete.
Money.co.uk – Cirencester, UK
Spaces such as the Pow Wow room, shown here, were carefully styled to encourage employee interaction and inspire idea-sharing.
As well as a range of strikingly decorated workspaces, there was also an ice cave room and a ski lodge – both of which were accessible "through a secret door in the library", Egle Kairele of interior design agency Interaction told OfficeInspiration.com.
Money.co.uk – Cirencester, UK
Secret door aside, the library got a bit of TLC and was transformed into a modern den-like area, complete with a fireplace and a suit of armour.
As eccentric as it was functional, the space was created to inspire employees as much as it was to look great.
Money.co.uk – Cirencester, UK
And like a lot of other modern offices, Money.co.uk had its own in-house games room, specifically created to help employees relax and have fun.
Hootsuite – Vancouver, Canada
Social media management company Hootsuite is based in Vancouver, Canada.
As with any cool tech company worth its salt, Hootsuite has put a lot of effort into getting the balance between trendiness and friendliness just right, as well as creating a space that inspires hard work and creativity.
Rather than formal closed-off meeting rooms, old-school camping tents are dotted around the office to offer a private and unique setting for employees to meet and discuss ideas.
Hootsuite – Vancouver, Canada
The lunchroom features a games area, complete with ping pong and foosball tables, which encourages employees to socialise with each other away from their screens.
Hootsuite – Vancouver, Canada
Hootsuite is also keen to remind its employees to look after their health and wellbeing.
As such, it offers staff access to a full gym area and a yoga studio, which can be used 24/7 – meaning staff can even take advantage of them at the weekend, should they wish.
Hootsuite – Vancouver, Canada
Hootsuite employees are also allowed to bring their dogs into the office. According to reports, colleagues frequently get together at lunchtime to take their pooches for a stroll.
Acuity – Sheboygan, USA
Insurance company Acuity is based in Wisconsin, a stone's throw from the shores of Lake Michigan. In 2017, the company unveiled its HQ expansion, which saw its premises grow to 1.2 million square feet (111,483sqm).
Among the various new additions was the permanent installation of a Ferris wheel, nicknamed the "Acuity Charity Wheel", in the main hall.
According to the company's website, the Ferris wheel is used for "special events and fundraising".
Acuity – Sheboygan, USA
Acuity also offers its employees a chance to get adventurous in the office with a 45ft (14m) climbing wall, which just so happens to be one of the tallest indoor climbing walls in Wisconsin.
Acuity – Sheboygan, USA
To mix up meetings, employees are encouraged to work together in quirky booths, while the games room gives them plenty of opportunity to get away from their desks.
Acuity – Sheboygan, USA
Acuity’s HQ also features a 2,000-person theatre-in-the-round for company-wide meetings.
The organisation is frequently ranked as one of the best places to work in Wisconsin, and also landed a spot on Forbes' list of America's Best-In State Employers last year.
Courtesy The Beehive, Bumble
Bumble – Austin, USA
If you were to stumble across this office without being told what it was for, the design would give you a pretty big clue.
Dating and networking app Bumble boasts a beehive-themed HQ that fits perfectly with the brand's apian logo.
Courtesy The Beehive, Bumble
Bumble – Austin, USA
The team's aim for this unique office was to bring to life the company's core values.
Bumble describes the space as one that "encourages creativity, empowerment, and collaborative behavior".
Courtesy The Beehive, Bumble
Bumble – Austin, USA
Boasting a "glam room" where team members can get ready for a date or networking event, the office also offers staff free makeovers and haircuts.
This trendy space is also decorated with beehives (what else?), with inspirational quotes displayed on the mirrors and the walls.
Courtesy The Beehive, Bumble
Bumble – Austin, USA
With the workforce mostly female, the office also ensures that employees can breastfeed or pump in a private and peaceful setting.
Courtesy The Beehive, Bumble
Bumble – Austin, USA
The designers of this sunny space wanted it to feel both relaxed and motivational.
There are numerous lounge areas where employees can unwind, and they're also encouraged to work from wherever they feel most comfortable.
Instagram – New York, USA
Photo sharing platform Instagram boasts a beautiful HQ in New York, which it moved into in 2018.
Located on the 14th floor of 770 Broadway (where parent company Meta also has office space), the 'gram-worthy premises boasts a desirable range of perks and privileges for lucky staff.
Instagram @brickandwonder
Instagram – New York, USA
All employees have free access to an in-house coffee shop, the fully stocked kitchens on each floor, and a library.
And naturally, this being the HQ of the world's biggest photo-sharing app, each space is designed to double-up as a snap-ready backdrop, with everything from living-plant walls to cool lighting setting the scene.
Instagram @furnituredesignmag
Instagram – New York, USA
The whole office is flooded with natural light, and all workspaces are shared desks. And not only does the HQ have its own gelato bar but it also has an actual bar too, fully stocked with champagne...
Instagram @snailtraveling
Instagram – New York, USA
The building's walls are lined with wow-worthy Instagram shots, and each room is designed to offer the perfect setting for interesting and quirky photographs.
Courtesy Inventionland.com
Inventionland design factory – Pittsburgh, USA
You might be forgiven for thinking that this is Disneyland but look again: it’s actually the Inventionland design factory in Pittsburgh.
The company designed the space itself, neatly bringing to life the purpose behind Inventionland.
Inventionland serves as a means to unlock creativity and innovation, with businesses such as Toys "R" Us, Target, and Amazon all using it in the past to ignite their ideas.
Courtesy Inventionland.com
Inventionland design factory – Pittsburgh, USA
Inventionland covers 60,000sqft (5,574sqm) and describes itself as an "immersive work environment".
As well as hosting businesses and inventors, the truly unique HQ also provides tours for around 15,000 students, educators, and designers.
Courtesy Inventionland.com
Inventionland design factory – Pittsburgh, USA
Inventionland offers staff and visitors 16 fairytale-inspired settings to get them in the zone for creativity.
Visitors have the privilege of working in spaces that vary from a pirate ship and a treehouse to a giant shoe and a castle complete with turrets and drawbridge.
The centre includes three running waterfalls, life-like trees and butterflies, and even grass-lined sidewalks. You'll never want to return to a normal office again...
LEGO Campus – Billund, Denmark
While some offices are strictly all work and no play, the state-of-the-art LEGO Campus in Billund, Denmark, gets the balance just right.
Opening its doors for the first time earlier this year, the space has been expertly designed by the renowned C.F. Møller Architects.
The cutting-edge workspace serves as a fun yet functional home away from home for around 2,000 LEGO employees – and their families!
LEGO Campus – Billund, Denmark
The cheery building was designed to inspire employees to create the best possible play experiences for LEGO fans around the globe.
A key feature is the "People House" – a huge multifunctional space for staff and their loved ones that boasts everything from a fitness studio and cinema to a kitchen and homestay area.
The People House is also home to an outdoor park, a health clinic, and a creative workshop area.
LEGO Campus – Billund, Denmark
The LEGO Campus was designed with sustainability in mind, and the low-energy building is partly powered by rooftop solar panels.
Most impressive of all, all the outdoor furniture was constructed from recycled LEGO bricks, with a total of 5,000kg of LEGO waste used.
Natalie Behring/Getty Images
Nike World HQ – Beaverton, USA
Located a stone’s throw from downtown Portland, fitness fans will go crazy for Nike World HQ, which more than lives up to the sportswear brand's athletic image.
Natalie Behring/Getty Images
Nike World HQ, Beaverton, USA
This Oregon-set facility boasts everything you could possibly need to stay in shape, including a world-class fitness centre, workout classes, tennis and basketball courts, and three full-sized soccer fields.
There are also miles of scenic running tracks for employees to enjoy, too.
Nike World HQ, Beaverton, USA
And team members can look as good as they feel thanks to an on-site hair and beauty salon.
When staff aren't busy working – or working out – they can unwind at a range of cafes, restaurants, bars, and food trucks.
Natalie Behring/Getty Images
Nike World HQ, Beaverton, USA
The stand-out feature is the Michael Jordan Building, a mini museum that's dedicated to the legendary basketball player.
Its lobby features two display cases that house pairs of iconic game-worn or autographed sneakers, while the walls are adorned with legendary sporting memorabilia. There’s arguably no better place to stretch your legs while on your lunch break.
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