Toyota recently invited us to tour its new headquarters that features classic Toyota-group cars and a couple concepts—keep reading to learn 25 cool facts about the enormous campus.
1. 4,200 and $1 Billion
Toyota’s new headquarters in Plano, Texas, took roughly three years and $1 billion dollars to build. It will eventually house some 4,200 Toyota employees who have relocated from across the country.
2. How Many Acres?
The campus sits on nearly 100 acres of land and is primarily composed of seven buildings that total 2.1 million square feet. That’s enough room for 6,500 employees and visitors and some 8,000 cars.
3. What It Took to Build the Campus
More than 142,500 yards of poured concrete, 1,220 tons of limestone (from Lueders, Texas) and more than 17,000 tons of steel were used to create Toyota’s new campus. Toyota claims 99 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
4. So Solar
Toyota claims its HQ has the largest solar array for a non-energy company in Texas. The system can apparently provide up to 33 percent of the campus’ daily electrical needs.
5. Ready for the Rain
Large cisterns situated near the four parking structures combine to capture approximately 400,000 gallons of rainwater, which is enough to supply the landscape needs for four months.
6. From C-HR to LS
For the grand opening, several flagship Toyota and Lexus vehicles, including Corolla, Camry, Tacoma, Mirai, C-HR, Tundra, LS 460, and LC 500, were positioned at the front entrance of the building.
7. A Concept of Lexus’ Future
Inside, four heritage and two concept vehicles were set up on static displays, including this Lexus UX concept.
8. Is This Concept in Toyota’s Small-SUV Future?
Also on display was the Toyota FT-4X concept, which made its debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.
9. Toyota’s Crowning Achievement
Toyota honored its origins by putting a 1958 Toyopet Crown in the front lobby. This was not only the first passenger car sold by Toyota in the U.S., but it was also the first Japanese automobile to be exported to mainland America.
10. A Rare Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s most enduring model line in America. First sold alongside the Toyopet Crown, the Land Cruiser kept the company afloat in America, when the Crown was pulled from market. This 1964 FJ45 Land Cruiser is a rare four-door wagon variant.
11. The 2000 GT
One of the most iconic Toyota designs is the 2000 GT. This 1967 model in Pegasus White represents one of only 337 2000 GTs ever produced, 54 of which came to North America.
12. Before Tundra…
Toyota builds Tundra pickup trucks just down the road in San Antonio, which explains why it had a 1971 Toyota Hilux prominently displayed at the grand opening.
13. Glass Everywhere
When you look around Toyota HQ, you notice a lot of natural light filtered through huge windows on nearly every exterior surface. For its HQ, Toyota sourced 12 acres of glass from the same Minnesota company that manufacturers windows for its cars and trucks.
14. Lightwells
Natural light is ongoing theme throughout the building. Large skylights and “lightwells” are positioned through the roof of the building in key areas. Associate work areas are positioned closer to windows, and executive offices and conference rooms are mostly positioned toward the interior of the buildings.
15. Time to Collaborate
Office space within Toyota HQ is split 50/50 between collaborative and individual office space. Toyota benchmarked such companies as Facebook, Google, and ExxonMobil and then tested workspace design and furniture in the temporary office.
16. Sit/Stand Desks and Steelcase Furniture
The majority of Toyota associates work in low-walled cubicles at powered sit/stand desks. Collaborative working areas range from traditional conference rooms to highboys and low couches. All furniture was sourced from Steelcase, and there is Wi-Fi throughout the campus, even outside.
17. Seven Buildings
There are two five-story and five four-story buildings for a total of seven. Elevators are relatively few, and stairwells are prominently featured throughout each building, as a way to passively promote fitness.
18. Time to Eat
There are a dozen places to eat within the Toyota campus, including Lone Star Commons (pictured), the main dining center, eight other prepared-meal locations, and three self-serve areas.
19. Zap it Up…
There are more than 250 microwave ovens and more than 250 televisions across the campus. That is a lot of TV dinners.
20. …Then Work it Off
The campus has its own fitness center, complete with a two-story artificial climbing wall.
21. Onsite Conveniences
Also onsite: a convenience store with pharmacy, a doctor’s office, and several ATMs.
22. Gotta Go?
Women’s, men’s, and gender-neutral bathrooms are located on every floor.
23. Cars Yes, Guns No
Although Texas is an open-carry state, Toyota does not allow any associates or visitors to bring guns on campus.
24. Are We in the Previa or Hilux Conference Room?
Several conference rooms use names of current and past vehicles, including Camry, Corolla, Previa, and Hilux, to name a few.
25. The Landscaping
Landscaping in the central courtyard uses vegetation native to the North Texas region.
The post Toyota’s $1 Billion Headquarters: 25 Cool Facts From the Grand Opening Tour appeared first on Motor Trend.
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