Fortnite developer Epic Games has just bought an old shopping mall with nearly a million square feet of space and plans to convert it into its new global headquarters by 2024.
Fortnite developer Epic Games is moving its headquarters from Cary, North Carolina, across town to a large shopping center, the company announced. The company plans to transform the 87-acre Cary Towne Center into its new headquarters by 2024.
Once the development is complete, Epic says the site will include recreational and office space that will be "customized from the ground up for the company's long-term growth." Should we expect a similar building to Apple's headquarters, Apple Park?
- READ MORE: Apple vs. Epic: The Trial of a Generation
Epic to Stay in Cary
Epic has been based in Cary, North Carolina, for more than two decades, has extensive ties to the region's educational institutions, and this decision ties the company's long-term future to the area. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht commented:
We’re extremely proud that Epic has chosen to call Cary home for their new global headquarters, and we greatly appreciate the company’s recognition of Cary’s existing assets as well as the unlimited potential of the area for their growing business. We look forward to continuing to work closely and collaboratively with the Epic team as they design their new campus, and we are honored to be working with them on this exciting new development.
How Did Epic Become Aware of Cary Towne Center?
Epic bought the property from Turnbridge Equities and Denali Properties, which acquired it in a distress sale in January 2019 after the mall lost three of its anchor tenants. Turnbridge and Denali planned to turn the site into a mixed-use project called Carolina Yards. CEO of Turnbridge Jason Davis added:
Epic shares our vision to transform the Cary Towne Center into a vibrant community space. After years of shifting development plans for the Center, we are excited to see the space realize its full potential and be transformed into something the Town and Cary community can be proud of.
When Will the Rebuild Begin?
The company says it plans to begin development of the new headquarters later this year. Epic's plans for developing the property include demolishing some of the existing structures on the site, a spokesperson told The Verge in an email. Further details remained under wraps, however, and all that was revealed was that the plans are still in the early stages. Until the new headquarters is ready, Epic will continue to operate out of its current offices on Crossroads Boulevard in Cary, about three miles from the mall.
Epic is valued at about $17.3 billion. And although the company is still embroiled in a legal battle with Apple over App Store fees, Epic's Fortnite continued to enjoy popularity in 2020, with more than 350 million registered players (as of May via Statista).
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Original article by EarlyGame's Alisa Eiber.
