Apple, Inc. is transforming 38 acres of wooded land in Northwest Austin, Texas into its biggest campus outside of Silicon Valley, according to a report from the Austin-American Statesman.
The new office is transforming the technology industry in Austin, Texas.
Local technology experts say that Apple's investment in Austin, Texas is significant for the technology sector in Central Texas, adds Austin-American Statesman.
The investment expands Apple's Silicon Valley culture across the Austin ecosystem.
Mark McClain, CEO of SailPoint and chairman of the Austin Technology Council, told Austin-American Statesman that Apple's investment sends a message that the city "has the ingredients."
"When Apple puts its stamp of approval on Austin like this, people notice," he said. "We want to be recognized as a great place to build a tech company."
He added the Austin-American Statesman that the investment of Apple will have a ripple effect that will be felt across the city's technology industry.
"Some people will come to work for Apple and get the entrepreneurial bug and start a company," he said. "Others will eventually leave to join local tech companies that need their expertise."
Once Apple completes its new campus, it will have seven limestone-and-glass buildings with a combined 1.1 million square feet of space, according to Austin-American Statesman.
It will also have a restaurant, a full-scale gym, and a spa-like wellness center.
Austin-American Statesman also adds that Apple will also be providing more than 3,600 new full-time jobs in Austin and retain the 3,100 existing full-time positions.
This is part of the $35 million tax incentive package that the city will provide to Apple.
Denise Young-Smith, head of human resources at Apple, told the Chron that the company was drawn to Austin's talent pool and cultural diversity.
"Austin has always been a voice and proponent of diversity and inclusiveness," she said. "And there is also diversity in terms of talent, including the music and artistic community."
Apple told the Austin-American Statesman that it is already ahead of its hiring projections.
Once Apple reaches its hiring figures, it becomes the second-largest technology employer in Central Texas, behind Dell, Inc.
The Austin-American Statesman also mentioned that the new campus is expected to be completed in 2016.
