7 Shocking Facts About 'The Beach At Expedia Group' That Redefine Corporate Campuses

The Beach at Expedia Group is not your typical corporate amenity. As of late 2025, this 2.6-acre stretch of waterfront in Seattle, Washington, continues to be one of the most unique and talked-about features of any major tech company's headquarters, standing as a symbol of the travel giant's commitment to community and nature. Unlike a private, employee-only space, this area is a significant public park that seamlessly integrates into the company’s vast 40-acre campus on the shores of Puget Sound, offering unparalleled access to the Elliott Bay waterfront for both employees and the general public. This distinctive feature, completed in 2019 as part of the massive headquarters relocation and redesign, showcases a forward-thinking approach to corporate real estate. The decision to open a substantial portion of their prime waterfront property to the public has redefined the relationship between a global corporation and its host city, transforming a former biotech site into a vibrant, accessible hub for recreation and natural appreciation.

The Beach at Expedia Group: Project Profile and Key Entities

The Beach at Expedia Group, often simply called "The Beach," is a masterclass in landscape architecture and urban planning, transforming a previously underutilized industrial waterfront into a thriving ecological and recreational space.

• Location: Seattle, Washington, United States (North of downtown Seattle, on Elliott Bay).
• Size: 2.6 acres.
• Waterfront Length: Follows a quarter mile of the Puget Sound waterfront edge.
• Project Type: Corporate Campus, Waterfront Park, Ecological Restoration.
• Client: Expedia Group.
• Campus Master Plan Architect: ZGF Architects (for the main campus buildings).
• Landscape Architect (The Beach): Surfacedesign, Inc.
• Completion Status: Beach completed in 2019; Main Campus completed in 2021.
• Previous Use of Site: Former biotech company campus.

The Public-Private Paradox: Why Expedia Built a Public Beach

The most compelling aspect of The Beach is its accessibility. While the surrounding office buildings are strictly for Expedia Group employees—a hub now increasingly focused on advanced technologies like GenAI and B2B platform expansion—The Beach itself is a public park. This decision was a deliberate and strategic move that highlights several key intentions.

1. It's Legally a Public Park (Mostly)

Expedia Group donated approximately two acres of its campus land to the City of Seattle. This donation was specifically intended to create and maintain continuous public access to the waterfront. This means that while the land is part of the overall corporate campus, the beach area functions as a fully accessible public park, connecting to the broader waterfront bike and pedestrian path system. This commitment to public good is a rare move for a corporation occupying such prime real estate.

2. The Design Celebrates Seattle's Natural Coast

The landscape design, led by Surfacedesign, Inc., was not about creating a manicured, artificial resort. Instead, it was an intentional "celebration of the Seattle coast's rugged informality." The goal was to restore and enhance the natural ecological function of the Elliott Bay shoreline. The design features native plantings, tree groves, and walking trails that evoke the natural history of the Puget Sound area. This ecological focus provides a crucial habitat for local wildlife and a restorative environment for human visitors.

3. A Strategic Move for Employee Wellness and Retention

While the public is welcome, the proximity of The Beach is an enormous benefit for Expedia Group employees. The campus master plan, designed by ZGF Architects, heavily emphasized "highly activated outdoor spaces" as a hallmark of the campus experience. For a company whose business is travel, the ability to step away from a desk and instantly access a quarter-mile of rugged, natural waterfront is a powerful tool for promoting employee well-being, creativity, and work-life balance. It’s a physical manifestation of the company’s mission to connect people to the world.

Key Features That Make The Beach a Unique Destination

The Beach is more than just sand and water; it is a meticulously planned environment that serves multiple functions, from recreation to ecology. Its unique features set it apart from typical urban parks or corporate grounds.

4. Seamless Integration with Urban Trails

The park plays a critical role in the larger Seattle transportation network. It ensures the continuity of the crucial waterfront bike and pedestrian path, allowing cyclists, runners, and walkers to seamlessly traverse the Elliott Bay shoreline without interruption. This integration makes the Expedia campus a vital link in the city’s green infrastructure, not a barrier.

5. An Ecological Transformation

The site was once an under-used biotech campus, and the transformation involved significant ecological restoration. The project focused on transforming the post-industrial edge into a more natural, resilient shoreline. This includes the use of specific, locally-sourced materials and planting schemes designed to thrive in the marine environment, enhancing biodiversity and mitigating the impact of urban development on the Puget Sound ecosystem.

6. The Anti-Perk Corporate Perk

In the world of tech company perks—which often include free gourmet meals, climbing walls, and game rooms—The Beach is an "anti-perk" perk. It is a massive, natural, and shared resource. By making it public, Expedia Group subtly signals a different kind of corporate culture—one that values connection to nature and community over exclusive, walled-off luxury. This unique amenity supports the company’s culture of exploration, aligning its physical space with its global brand identity.

7. A Model for Future Corporate Development

The completion of the campus and The Beach in the 2019-2021 timeframe established a new benchmark for corporate headquarters, particularly those located on sensitive urban waterfronts. It demonstrated that major development can be done in a way that prioritizes public access and ecological health while still serving the needs of a global corporation. As cities worldwide grapple with waterfront development and public space, The Beach at Expedia Group serves as a powerful case study for sustainable and community-focused design, proving that a private company can successfully steward a major public resource. The site’s ongoing use by both employees and Seattle residents confirms its success as a hybrid public-private space.

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