You might finally start seeing some Android phones out in the wild around Silicon Valley. Samsung Electronics Co. just announced a major expansion of its Silicon Valley operations, which includes a gigantic 1.1M square-foot headquarters for Samsung Semiconductor and a 385k square-foot facility for Samsung Information Systems America.
The 10-story SSI HQ will be located just north of downtown San Jose and house the R&D and sales staff for the semiconductor and display businesses. Designed by NBBJ, the complex will include a parking garage and amenity pavilion, which isn’t detailed in the press release, but I only assume will include free food, trendy but uncomfortable seating and free QR tattoos.
SISA is signing a 15-year lease for two 6-story buildings on an 8.5-acre site. Located in Cypress Business Park in Mountain View, the facility, the press release indicates, will be constructed to LEED Gold standards. It also overlooks the US 101, so that’s nice.
Samsung was able to make these moves thanks to significant state and local tax breaks. As The EE Times reported back in August, among the tax incentives, Samsung will also receive a discounted rate from Pacific Gas and Electric.
“Samsung’s expansion in California is great news and it further strengthens the state’s role as a world leader in innovation,” said California Governor Jerry Brown, in a statement back in August. “Here’s a case where government and business work together—and everyone benefits.”
There is a movement to find the next Silicon Valley. But there is no place like Silicon Valley. Just ask Apple, Google, HP, Samsung and the thousands of tech companies located there.