Why Brooks Believes Its New HQ Is the ‘Center of the Running Universe’
Brooks is red-hot, and with its position as a leader of the ultracompetitive running industry secure, the company has expanded its global headquarters in Seattle.
For its new home, Brooks has taken over the new five-floor CornerStone building, which is located in the city’s Fremont neighborhood, an area known for its creative atmosphere. By taking over CornerStone, which is located across the street from Brooks’ current offices in Stone 34, the company’s global headquarters now spans two buildings, consuming roughly 250,000 square feet of commercial space.
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Brooks stated this expansion supports its growing employee base, which has doubled in size since relocating from Bothell, Wash., to Seattle in 2014. The company confirmed the HQ now supports more than 500 Seattle-based employees.
“The new addition to our headquarters campus represents Brooks’ commitment to serving the needs of our growing team and business,” Brooks chief executive officer Dan Sheridan said in a statement. “With access to seemingly endless miles of recreation trails at our doorstep and our focus on runners globally, we like to think of our Fremont headquarters as the ‘Center of the Running Universe.'”
In a statement, Brooks said CornerStone will be integral to supporting its continued growth, “expanding team abilities to develop market-leading products for runners everywhere.”
Brooks described the new space as “modern and flexible,” and stated the building is ideal for “the workflows across departments and the tactile needs of the footwear and apparel teams.” Also, Brooks explained its “multistory, open vertical spaces and clear sight-lines” will help encourage interaction and “make product creation outcomes visible.”
“Our new headquarters building is a structural expression of our core brand values,” Brooks senior vice president and chief human resources officer Katie Carlson said in a statement. “We are a company centered around people. Our purpose is to inspire everyone to run and be active, and that starts with creating workspaces where teams can come together and find inspiration.”
In terms of decor, Brooks ensured its “Runner First” and “Keep Moving” values are on full display. For instance, there is an art installation the brand explained “evokes the experience of running through dappled sunlight.” Also, there is a two-story shoelace pendant light inside, as well as an interactive wall of local running routes and a 50-foot mural inspired by Brooks history and running culture by Shogo Ota in its BlueLine Cafe.
Additionally, the CornerStone building, Brooks explained, is aligned with its commitment to sustainability, including the company’s goal of reducing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2040. The building also features 104 bike stalls, a bike repair station and a gym and locker room with several showers.
This HQ expansion comes as Brooks continues to break sales records, set new growth benchmarks and become a force in running globally. For instance, the company announced in October 2024 that it took just three quarters to surpass $1 billion in global revenue. (For context, the first time Brooks eclipsed $1 billion in global annual sales was 2021.) Also, Brooks opened its its first store in Mainland China in July 2024. The store, which consumes more than 1,200 square feet of real estate, is located in the Kerry Center shopping mall in Shanghai.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
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