Inside Weyerhaeuser’s Abandoned Corporate Headquarters

Discovering a Modernist Gem in the Woods

Stone art sculpture in front of modern building with lush greenery and blue sky, capturing peaceful outdoor environment. — The boulder out front, and the ivy terraces of the empty headquarters behind it.

Tucked into the rolling hills just off Interstate 5 and Highway 18 in Federal Way, Washington, sits one of the most fascinating and overlooked architectural landmarks in the Pacific Northwest, the former Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters. Built in 1971, this sprawling campus was designed to blur the line between architecture and nature, creating a place where the building feels like it grew out of the landscape itself.

Historical Weyerhaeuser Campus Photos

Sketch of Weyerhaeuser Corporate Campus with a forested area and traditional buildings in the foreground, capturing nature and architecture harmony.

A historical black and white photograph of the Weyerhaeuser headquarters building exterior in Federal Way, Washington.

Modern architectural site plan showcasing Weyerhaeuser Site Drawing designs integrated into a landscaped park, featuring roadways, pathways, and natural surroundings for urban development and eco-friendly architecture.

A historical aerial photograph of the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, Washington, showing the buildings and grounds.

A historical black-and-white photograph of the plant-filled lobby at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington

A historical aerial black and white photograph of the Weyerhaeuser headquarters under construction in Federal Way, Washington.

A black and white historical photograph of the cafeteria at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington, with round tables and chairs.

Weyerhaeuser interior with tables, modern lighting, and large windows providing natural light.

A carpeted interior glass corridor at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A glass-wall lounge with seating and views of the grounds at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A historical photograph of 1970s office cubicles and workstations at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A historical photograph of the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, Washington.

Historical photographs of the open office floor and library at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington

A spacious interior with a high ceiling and wooden accents at the former Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A Brief Timeline

Mid-1960s: Planning begins for the new Weyerhaeuser headquarters, designed to integrate fully with its surroundings.
1971: The campus officially opens in Federal Way.
2014: Weyerhaeuser announces plans to relocate its headquarters to Seattle’s Pioneer Square.
2016: The 430-acre property is sold to Industrial Realty Group (IRG) and renamed Woodbridge Corporate Park.
2017: Preservationists list the site as endangered amid plans to build large warehouses nearby.
2022: State and local leaders begin exploring partnerships to preserve and repurpose the historic headquarters for public or educational use.
2024: Amazon announces it will take over at least partial space in the facility.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

Modern eco-friendly building integrated into lush green landscape for sustainable living. — Contemporary eco-friendly architecture blending into nature with layered greenery and expansive windows.

Architecture Meets Landscape

The headquarters was designed by architect Edward Charles Bassett of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and landscape architect Peter Walker of Sasaki Walker & Associates. Their shared philosophy was simple but revolutionary: the landscaping and building “cannot be separated, they are each a creature of the other.” That vision still defines the campus more than fifty years later.

A “Skyscraper on Its Side”

Rather than a tall corporate tower, the five-story building steps into the hillside in a series of green terraces. Each level is wrapped in vegetation that spills over the walls, and long horizontal windows stretch uninterrupted along its sides. The result is a structure that seems to vanish into its environment.

Open-Concept Innovation

Inside, Weyerhaeuser pioneered what was then a radical idea: an open-plan office with no full-height partitions. Every workspace had a view of the surrounding forest, connecting employees to nature throughout the day.

Public-Friendly Grounds

Beyond the architecture, the property is home to two beloved attractions: the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and the Pacific Bonsai Museum. Walking paths, meadows, and reflective ponds make it a favorite spot for nature lovers, photographers, and architecture fans alike.

Cultural and Historic Value

In 2017, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation listed the site among its “Most Endangered Places”, warning that proposed industrial development could overwhelm the delicate balance between built and natural landscapes.

What to See and Do

Drive By or Walk the Grounds: The low, horizontal building and terraced green roofs are visible from the road and even more striking up close.
Visit the Gardens: The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and the Pacific Bonsai Museum are both open to the public and showcase world-class collections.
Bring a Camera: The way the structure emerges from the meadow, with ivy cascading over concrete terraces, makes for stunning photography.
Take a Nature Walk: The site’s trails wind through ponds, trees, and grassy meadows — a reminder that this was designed as a place for both work and reflection.
Respect Private Areas: Parts of the campus remain under private ownership and development, so always follow posted access guidelines.

Why It Matters

It’s a rare example of modernist corporate architecture that prioritized environmental sensitivity over corporate monumentality.
It helped pioneer the open-office concept decades before it became mainstream.
It stands as a symbol of the post-war suburban corporate campus era, one that is rapidly disappearing across America.
It invites visitors to reflect on how we balance progress, preservation, and our relationship with nature.

Weyerhaeuser Abandoned Campus Photo Gallery

The entry road through tall fir trees on the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, Washington.

A long glass-walled interior corridor at the abandoned Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A large glacial boulder on a grass pad in the concrete entry plaza of the ivy-terraced Weyerhaeuser headquarters building.

The meadow on the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, Washington.

The open meadow looking toward the terraced roof structure of the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

Open green fields and tree line on the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, Washington.

The green-roof entry and boulder sculpture at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

A large stone head sculpture on the plaza before the ivy-covered Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington

The grand stair and ivy-draped terraced roofline of the abandoned Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

The parking area and terrace edge of the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

The covered drop-off drive with ivy-covered terraced roof at the Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

The covered drive beneath the ivy-draped terraces of the abandoned Weyerhaeuser headquarters in Federal Way, Washington.

Plan Your Visit

Location: 33663 Weyerhaeuser Way S, Federal Way, WA 98001
Nearby Attractions: Pacific Bonsai Museum, Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Dash Point State Park
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer when the rhododendrons are in bloom and the terraces are lush and green.
Access Tip: Some areas are private; check local signage or the websites for the bonsai museum and gardens for visitor details.

Modern aerial view of the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Campus surrounded by lush greenery and the Botanical Garden and Bonsai Museum parking area, highlighting the corporate buildings and landscape design. — The site from above: the headquarters is the long building beside the lake.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself driving between Seattle and Tacoma, take a short detour and stop at the Weyerhaeuser Campus. Walk among the terraces, listen to the wind in the trees, and think about what it means for architecture to belong to its landscape.

It’s one of those rare places where history, design, and nature still whisper to each other – at least for now.

Weyerhaeuser Abandoned Corporate Campus – Federal Way, WA