Apple's OTHER new office: Bizarre building shaped like a Mac's command key revealed near the iPhone maker's new spaceship HQ

  • 'AC3’ Central & Wolfe is just three miles away from Apple Park and will provide 882,857 sq ft of space 
  • There are three main structures that connect around a courtyard, forming the shape of Apple's command key 
  • Has the same curved windows as Apple Park and will have small parks, walking paths and wide open spaces

Advertisement

While Apple puts the finishing touches on its ‘spaceship' campus, a lesser-known location is nearing completion.

The Cupertino company’s ‘AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is just three miles away from Apple Park.

The AC3 campus boasts similarities of the main campus, such as curved windows and lush vegetation, but is shaped to look like Apple’s ‘command key’ - and the tech giant will start moving in sometime in 2018.

Apple's 'AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is just three miles away from Apple Park. The AC3 campus boasts similarities of the main campus, such as curved windows and lush vegetation, but is shaped to look like Apple’s ‘command key’

Apple's 'AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is just three miles away from Apple Park. The AC3 campus boasts similarities of the main campus, such as curved windows and lush vegetation, but is shaped to look like Apple’s ‘command key’

THE OTHER CAMPUS 

‘AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is three miles away from Apple Park.

It will have small parks, walking paths and wide open spaces - and the main building is shaped like Apple's command key.

The entire campus, when completed, will provide 882,857 square feet of collaborative space and will consist of three curved concrete structures that connect around a courtyard.

The courtyard will host food trucks and visitor parks - a majority of the parking will be underground. 

Advertisement

Footage of the massive structure highlights small parks on the campus, walking paths and wide open spaces – and the building is fitted with the same curved window design as Apple Park.

An Apple spokesperson told DailyMail.com in an email that the campus will be home to a 'wellness center, fitness center, a Caffè Macs, amazing landscaping and green space'.

'We expect to start moving in in 2018,' the spokesperson said. 

Apple signed a lease for the campus in 2015 with Landbank Investment LCC, Apple Insider reported, it was then purchased by developer Jay Paul not too long after.

The entire campus, when completed, will provide 882,857 square feet of collaborative space and will consist of three curved concrete structures that connect around a courtyard – forming the shape of Apple's command key.

On the southeastern side of the campus, Level 10, the construction company involved with the project, is constructing an amenities building in a seven-story parking structure.

According to Apple Insider, parking will be mostly underground and the courtyard will host food trucks and some visitor parking.

Prior to Apple claiming the location, Level 10 had planned to cover the roofs with lush vegetation, but the video appears to show the plans have changed.

But the surrounding ground will be landscaped with local flora and other plants – following after Apple Park, which is boasts grassy fields and over 9,000 native and drought-resistant trees.

'AC3’ Central & Wolfe is shaped to look like Apple’s command key (pictured)

'AC3’ Central & Wolfe is shaped to look like Apple’s command key (pictured)

The Central & Wolfe project has stayed out of the limelight for a majority of its construction and Apple has yet to reveal major details of the campus such as when the firm plans to move in.

DailyMail.com has contacted Apple for comment and has yet to receive a response.

Three miles away from the lesser-known campus sits Apple’s highly-anticipated structure – Apple Park.

Built on a massive 175 acres, the finished campus will span 2.8 million square feet house 13,000 Apple techies and be self-sufficient with trees planted in the dirt removed from the park to build the compound. 

Before his death in 2011, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who would have turned 62 this Friday, February 24, set out to create one of the most futuristic buildings ever created.

'Steve was exhilarated, and inspired, by the California landscape, by its light and its expansiveness,' said Laurene Powell Jobs.

 

The entire campus, when completed, will provide 882,857 square feet of collaborative space and will consist of three curved concrete structures that connect around a courtyard – forming the shape of Apple's command key

The entire campus, when completed, will provide 882,857 square feet of collaborative space and will consist of three curved concrete structures that connect around a courtyard – forming the shape of Apple's command key

Footage of the massive structure highlights small parks on the campus, walking paths and wide open spaces – and the building is fitted with the same curved window design as Apple Park

Footage of the massive structure highlights small parks on the campus, walking paths and wide open spaces – and the building is fitted with the same curved window design as Apple Park

'It was his favorite setting for thought. Apple Park captures his spirit uncannily well.' 

'He would have flourished, as the people of Apple surely will, on this luminously designed campus.' 

 On the southeastern side of the campus, Level 10, the construction company involved with the project, is constructing an amenities building in a seven-story parking structure. According to Apple Insider, parking will be mostly underground and the courtyard will host food trucks and some visitor parking

 On the southeastern side of the campus, Level 10, the construction company involved with the project, is constructing an amenities building in a seven-story parking structure. According to Apple Insider, parking will be mostly underground and the courtyard will host food trucks and some visitor parking

Prior to Apple claiming the location, Level 10 had planned to cover the roofs with lush vegetation, but the video appears to show the plans have changed. But the surrounding ground will be landscaped with local flora and other plants

Prior to Apple claiming the location, Level 10 had planned to cover the roofs with lush vegetation, but the video appears to show the plans have changed. But the surrounding ground will be landscaped with local flora and other plants

To 'honor his memory and his enduring influence on Apple and the world', the theater at Apple Park will be named the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple said. 

Opening later this year, the entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fiber roof. 

The Steve Jobs Theater is situated on top of a hill — one of the highest points within Apple Park — overlooking meadows and the main building.

'Steve's vision for Apple stretched far beyond his time with us. 

The three curved concrete buildings will surround a courtyard that will be a hangout area for employees and visitors once the campus is up and running. Apple plans to go with the same green theme that its Apple Park campus has setup - adding trees and other lush vegetation

The three curved concrete buildings will surround a courtyard that will be a hangout area for employees and visitors once the campus is up and running. Apple plans to go with the same green theme that its Apple Park campus has setup - adding trees and other lush vegetation

 ‘AC3’ Central & Wolfe will boast the same curved window design as Apple Park. It is not clear when the campus will be finished, but the construction appears to be moving along 

 ‘AC3’ Central & Wolfe will boast the same curved window design as Apple Park. It is not clear when the campus will be finished, but the construction appears to be moving along 

Apple's AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is just three miles away from Apple Park.

Apple's AC3’ Central & Wolfe sits across the street from the Sunnyvale Crossing seven-building development Apple currently leases, and is just three miles away from Apple Park.

'He intended Apple Park to be the home of innovation for generations to come,' said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. 

'The workspaces and parklands are designed to inspire our team as well as benefit the environment. 

'We've achieved one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the world and the campus will run entirely on renewable energy.'

The campus's ring-shaped, 2.8 million-square-foot main building is clad entirely in the world's largest panels of curved glass, and the firm's fanatical attention to detail is seen throughout.

Apple said it will take six months to move all 12,000 staff into the $5 billion (£4 billion) 2.8 million-square-foot campus, which features a 1,000 seat auditorium named the Steve Jobs Theatre

Three miles away from the lesser-known campus sits Apple’s highly-anticipated structure – Apple Park. Apple said it will take six months to move all 12,000 staff into the $5 billion (£4 billion) 2.8 million-square-foot campus, which features a 1,000 seat auditorium named the Steve Jobs Theater

'Steve invested so much of his energy creating and supporting vital, creative environments, said Jony Ive, Apple's chief design officer.

'We have approached the design, engineering and making of our new campus with the same enthusiasm and design principles that characterize our products.'

'Connecting extraordinarily advanced buildings with rolling parkland creates a wonderfully open environment for people to create, collaborate and work together. 

'We have been extremely fortunate to be able to work closely, over many years, with the remarkable architectural practice Foster + Partners.'

The Steve Jobs Theater (artist's impression) is situated on top of a hill — one of the highest points within Apple Park — overlooking meadows and the main building. Opening later this year, the entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fibre roof

The Steve Jobs Theater is situated on top of a hill — one of the highest points within Apple Park — overlooking meadows and the main building. Opening later this year, the entrance to the 1,000-seat auditorium is a 20-foot-tall glass cylinder, 165 feet in diameter, supporting a metallic carbon-fiber roof

The campus' ring-shaped, 2.8 million-square-foot main building is clad entirely in the world's largest panels of curved glass

The campus' ring-shaped, 2.8 million-square-foot main building is clad entirely in the world's largest panels of curved glass

Apple Park will also include a visitors center with an Apple Store and cafe open to the public, a 100,000-square-foot fitness center for Apple employees, secure research and development facilities and the Steve Jobs Theater.

The parklands offer two miles of walking and running paths for employees, plus an orchard, meadow and pond within the ring's interior grounds.

A recent flyover of Apple's mothership reveals the massive $5 billion (£4 billion) Campus 2 is nearly complete.

The incredible drone images also reveal the astonishing attention to detail of the site.

From the arrangement of electrical wiring to the finish of a hidden pipe, no aspect of the 2.8 million-square-foot main building has been too small to attract scrutiny. 

With 17 megawatts of rooftop solar, Apple Park will run one of the largest on-site solar energy installations in the world. It is also the site of the world's largest naturally ventilated building, projected to require no heating or air conditioning for nine months of the year

The Spaceship will have 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of 'research' space.

The Spaceship will have 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of 'research' space

Since Apple unveiled its plans in 2011, the move-in date has slowly receded.

Jobs' initial projection was 2015, but this spring now seems most likely, according to people involved in the project.  

More than $1 billion (£800 million) was allocated for the interior of the main building alone, according to a former construction manager.

KEY FEATURES OF APPLE CAMPUS 2 

Appearing as a giant saucer, the Silicon Valley site near the 280 Highway will be home to 13,000 Apple employees.

There will be jogging and cycling trails, with more than a thousand bikes kept on site at all times, which staff can use to make their way around.

The Spaceship will have 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of 'research' space.

Apple Campus 2 will additionally have underground parking hidden from view, meaning 80 percent of the site can be covered in trees. The site was previously owned by Hewlett Packard and the majority of the area is currently covered in asphalt.

Elsewhere underground, the auditorium will be where Apple's CEO Tim Cook will present the companies keynotes ahead of product launches, for example. This auditorium will be covered with a circular glass pavilion that will also be an access point for employees and guests.

Natural gas will, primarily, provide the building's power and the local energy grid will only be accessed in emergencies.

The glass structure will also be fitted with solar panels.

The circular, four-storey building will be around a mile in circumference and a third of a mile wide and was recently described by the San Fransisco Weekly as a 'massive glass doughnut'.

The building stays eco-friendly with natural ventilation that works instead of air-conditioning for 70 per cent of the year, low energy LED lighting where natural light doesn't reach, and on-site recycling 

The Apple campus will have 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of 'research' space. Pictured is the most recent image of the site, taken on January 13

The Apple campus will have 360-degree curved glass fronted walls and central courtyard as well as a 1,000-seater auditorium, a gym and 300,000 square feet of 'research' space. Pictured is the most recent image of the site, taken on January 13

Advertisement

The campus is something of an exception to the trend of radically open offices aimed at fostering collaboration, said Louise Mozingo, a professor and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at University of California, Berkeley. 

Its central office building - a massive ring of glass frequently likened to a spaceship - could be a challenge just to navigate, she noted.

'It's not about maximizing the productivity of the office space, it's about creating a symbolic center for this global company,' she said. 'They are creating an icon.'

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. 

Its central office building - a massive ring of glass frequently likened to a spaceship - could be a challenge just to navigate. This image shows work progressing on the site, with the outer ring almost complete

Its central office building - a massive ring of glass frequently likened to a spaceship - could be a challenge just to navigate. This image shows work progressing on the site, with the outer ring almost complete

The circular, four-storey building will be around a mile in circumference and a third of a mile wide and was recently described by the San Francisco Weekly as a ‘massive glass doughnut’

The circular, four-story building will be around a mile in circumference and a third of a mile wide and was recently described by the San Francisco Weekly as a 'massive glass doughnut'

Technology companies have long favored generic office parks, but the Apple Campus 2 marks a new chapter in Silicon Valley architecture.

When completed, the campus will house up to 14,200 employees, according to the 2013 project description. 

The main building - which boasts the world's largest piece of curved glass - will be surrounded by a lush canopy of thousands of trees. 

Apple acquired the campus from Hewlett-Packard, although little remains except an original century-old barn. Apple's in-house construction team enforced many rules: No vents or pipes could be reflected in the glass. Guidelines for the special wood used frequently throughout the building ran to some 30 pages

Apple acquired the campus from Hewlett-Packard, although little remains except an original century-old barn. Apple's in-house construction team enforced many rules: No vents or pipes could be reflected in the glass. Guidelines for the special wood used frequently throughout the building ran to some 30 pages

The new campus will be located at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, which is part of the world-renowned Silicon Valley. Architect German de la Torre, who worked on the project, found many of the proportions - such as the curve of a rounded corner - came from Apple's products

The new campus will be located at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, which is part of the world-renowned Silicon Valley. Architect German de la Torre, who worked on the project, found many of the proportions - such as the curve of a rounded corner - came from Apple's products

Little remains from the cement-laden campus Apple acquired from Hewlett-Packard, though the iPhone maker preserved a century-old barn that remained intact.

But what was most striking to those who worked on the project was Apple managers' insistence on treating the construction of the vast complex the same way they approach the design of pocket-sized electronics.

Apple's in-house construction team enforced many rules, including no vents or pipes could be reflected in the glass. 

What was most striking to those who worked on the project was Apple managers' insistence on treating the construction of the vast complex the same way they approach the design of pocket-sized electronics

What was most striking to those who worked on the project was Apple managers' insistence on treating the construction of the vast complex the same way they approach the design of pocket-sized electronics

Pictured is the cafeteria housed in a huge atrium. There are 59 skylights along the roof, allowing natural light to come inside, while giant glass doors open to let fresh air in

Pictured is the cafeteria housed in a huge atrium. There are 59 skylights along the roof, allowing natural light to come inside, while giant glass doors open to let fresh air in

Apple Campus 2 will additionally have underground parking hidden from view, meaning 80 per cent of the site can be covered in trees

Apple Campus 2 will additionally have underground parking hidden from view, meaning 80 percent of the site can be covered in trees

And guidelines for the special wood used frequently throughout the building ran to some 30 pages. 

The company's keen design sense enhanced the project, but its expectations sometimes clashed with construction realities, a former architect said.

'With phones, you can build to very, very minute tolerances,' he said. 'You would never design to that level of tolerance on a building. Your doors would jam.'  

The company's keen design sense enhanced the project, but its expectations sometimes clashed with construction realities, a former architect said

The company's keen design sense enhanced the project, but its expectations sometimes clashed with construction realities, a former architect said

Early in construction, Apple managers told the construction team that the ceiling - composed of large panels of polished concrete - should be immaculate inside and out, just as the inside of the iPhone's audio jack is a finished product

Early in construction, Apple managers told the construction team that the ceiling - composed of large panels of polished concrete - should be immaculate inside and out, just as the inside of the iPhone's audio jack is a finished product

The Apple Campus 2 is seen under construction
And image of the roof reveals solar panels

Drone footage taken above the site reveals the vast extent of the construction, with hundreds, if not thousands of lorries and diggers involved

Apple's novel approach to the building took many forms. 

Architect German de la Torre, who worked on the project, found many of the proportions - such as the curve of a rounded corner - came from Apple's products. 

The elevator buttons struck some workers as resembling the iPhone's home button; one former manager even likened the toilet's sleek design to the device.

But Mr de la Torre ultimately saw that Apple executives were not trying to evoke the iPhone per se, but rather following something akin to the Platonic ideal of form and dimension.

Underground, the site's Steve Jobs Theatre auditorium will be where Apple's CEO Tim Cook presents the company's keynotes ahead of product launches

Elsewhere underground, the auditorium will be where Apple's CEO Tim Cook will present the companies keynotes ahead of product launches, for example

Architects working on the building say that many of the proportions - such as the curve of a rounded corner - came from Apple's products

Architects working on the building say that many of the proportions - such as the curve of a rounded corner - came from Apple's products

Much of the construction time has been spent in placing small tiles along the walls of one of the access tunnels

Much of the construction time has been spent in placing small tiles along the walls of one of the access tunnels

'They have arrived at design principles somehow through many years of experimentation, and they are faithful to those principles,' Mr de la Torre said.

Early in construction, Apple managers told the construction team that the ceiling - composed of large panels of polished concrete - should be immaculate inside and out, just as the inside of the iPhone's audio jack is a finished product, a former construction manager recalled.

Each of the thousands of ceiling panels had to win approval from both Apple's in-house team and the general contractor, once at the shop and then again at the construction site.

Natural gas will, primarily, provide the building's power and the local energy grid will only be accessed in emergencies

Natural gas will, primarily, provide the building's power and the local energy grid will only be accessed in emergencies

Apple's current headquarters are pictured in Cupertino
The futuristic new campus is very different to the old design

Technology companies have long favored generic office parks, but the Apple Campus 2 marks a new chapter in Silicon Valley architecture. Pictured left is Apple's current Cupertino campus

Covering 175 acres, Apple's 'Campus 2' headquarters will replace its current offices at 1 Infinite Loop (pictured)

Covering 175 acres, Apple's 'Campus 2' headquarters will replace its current offices at 1 Infinite Loop (pictured)

'The things you can't see, they all mattered to Apple,' the former construction manager said.

One of the most vexing features was the doorways, which Apple wanted to be perfectly flat, with no threshold. The construction team pushed back, but Apple held firm. 

'We spent months trying not to do that because that's time, money and stuff that's never been done before,' the former construction manager said. 

Signage also required a delicate balancing act, as Apple wanted all signs to reflect its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, but the fire department needed to ensure the building could be swiftly navigated in an emergency.    

This image is an artist's impression of what the Apple Campus 2 will look like from above when its complete. The site will be surrounded by a man-made forest featuring 7,000 trees. It was previously owned by Hewlett Packard and is currently covered in around 80 per cent asphalt

This image is an artist's impression of what the Apple Campus 2 will look like from above when its complete. The site will be surrounded by a man-made forest featuring 7,000 trees. It was previously owned by Hewlett Packard and is currently covered in around 80 percent asphalt

Not all of the parking spaces will be hidden. The parts of the multi-storey car park that will be on show, according to this image from Apple, will be covered in plants and greenery to help the concrete structure blend in

Not all of the parking spaces will be hidden. The parts of the multi-story car park that will be on show, according to this image from Apple, will be covered in plants and greenery to help the concrete structure blend in

Pictured is an artist's impression of the interior
The canteen will be light and airy

Much of the inside of the futuristic building will also be made of glass with stone-colored walls to add to the building's natural-looking design (pictured). The 175-acre Silicon Valley site near the 280 Highway will house 13,000 staff. Pictured are artist's impressions

During his initial proposals, Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs said he wanted the building to be covered in 40ft floor-to-ceiling panes of curved glass so that all of the building's four storeys would be visible from the outside and offer a large amount of natural light (pictured). Pictured is an artist's impression

During his initial proposals, Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs said he wanted the building to be covered in 40ft floor-to-ceiling panes of curved glass so that all of the building's four-story would be visible from the outside and offer a large amount of natural light (pictured). Pictured is an artist's impression

The cafeteria will additionally feature an outside dining and picnic area (pictured). Apple's Campus 2 additionally comes with a fitness centre in the northern part of the building. Pictured is an artist's impression

The cafeteria will additionally feature an outside dining and picnic area (pictured). Apple's Campus 2 additionally comes with a fitness centre in the northern part of the building. Pictured is an artist's impression

This room-sized mock-up of the planned Apple HQ was released in November 2013 before executives submitted their plans to the council. Pictured is an artist's impression

This room-sized mock-up of the planned Apple HQ was released in November 2013 before executives submitted their plans to the council. Pictured is an artist's impression

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.