Key Takeaways:
– The Allen Institute for AI (AI2) has leased a full floor in the new Northlake Commons building
– AI2 is not yet disclosing its expansion plans concerning its current and new office
– The Northlake Commons features an array of amenities including a plaza overlooking Lake Union and a bike room
– AI2 is believed to be contributing to the apparent emergence of an AI corridor in Seattle
The Allen Institute for AI (AI2) reinforces its relevance in the artificial intelligence scene by securing a whole floor in the upcoming Northlake Commons building. The new location, mere steps away from AI2’s current premises, belonged to a recent project by Hess Callahan Grey Group, the San Francisco-based Spear Street Capital, and the Dunn Lumber Family.
Moving Up and Moving On
Currently nestled in an undistinguished edifice on Lake Union’s northeastern flank in Seattle, AI2 finds it difficult to stand out. The move to the conveniently positioned Northlake Commons signals a significant change. This new address at 3800 Latona Ave NE is conveniently perched on a slope overlooking the lake. To its advantage, the building sits adjacent to the Burke-Gilman Trail and is easily accessible from the nearby University of Washington.
AI2 plans to accommodate approximately 200 employees initially in its new 50,000-square-foot abode. However, the institute remains coy about whether it will retain its existing location or make a full transition to the new one. It’s also kept the move-in date under wraps.
Trends in AI Landscape
The AI2 move is believed to contribute to the rise of a potential AI corridor in Seattle. In recent developments, Santa Clara-founded Collaborative Robotics secured its own place for its Foundation Models AI research team in a neighbor building.
Under the stewardship of Ali Farhadi since July 2023, AI2 continues to proliferate. Farhadi succeeded Oren Etzioni as CEO before his audiency at AI2, spearheaded Apple’s machine learning initiatives. AI2’s recent contribution to AI innovation, the Open Language Model (OLMo), netted them the Innovation of the Year award at the 2024 GeekWire Awards.
Building Highlights
Northlake Commons boasts an array of amenities such as a plaza overlooking Lake Union, a bike room equipped with lockers and showers, private roof decks, and a paddleboard locker room for aquatic enthusiasts. On the sustainability front, it boasts a bioswale capable of filtering up to 2.6 million gallons of stormwater runoff, year-round aiding lake and regional conservation.
The building is a product of general contractor Swinerton’s expertise, designed by Weber Thompson. James Yalowitz from Kidder Mathews represented AI2 in the lease deal. Handling office and life science leasing are Lloyd Low and Joe Gowan of JLL, while First Western Properties’ Jacob Thurber is overseeing retail leasing.
According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, this significant lease of AI2 further corroborates Seattle’s potential as a growing AI hub. With the continued expansion and success of institutes like AI2, the city appears only too ready to embrace the AI revolution.
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