Official opening of LinkedIn’s EMEA HQ as company continues to grow in Dublin
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald officially opened LinkedIn’s new 17,650 sq m Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) HQ at Wilton Place in Dublin yesterday. The new building is the first that LinkedIn has built outside the USA and is the result of an €85 million investment. The development was undertaken in order to meet the needs of LinkedIn’s growing workforce in Ireland, which has increased from three employees to 1,200 in just seven years.
Speaking at opening ceremony, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “This new EMEA HQ is the first such building outside the United States for LinkedIn and is a strong endorsement of the Government’s economic and job creation strategy because it reaffirms that Ireland is the perfect location for investment.
“When LinkedIn first came to Ireland in 2010 we were in the middle of one of our darkest periods economically. But today, thanks to the sacrifices of the Irish people and the policies pursued by the Government, our economy has recovered, and we are now facing the future with renewed confidence. Over the last seven years, the LinkedIn workforce here in Dublin has grown from just three staff members to 1,200. Indeed, LinkedIn’s belief in Ireland as a location for investment has contributed to our economic recovery.
“As a committed member of the Eurozone, we have a highly-educated English-speaking population and a business-friendly environment. The Government is committed to maintaining our stable and competitive corporation tax regime and our strong incentives for research and development so we can continue to attract and retain inward investment and create high quality jobs.”
An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald added: “I’m hugely impressed with the accelerated growth of LinkedIn since locating here in Ireland seven years ago. The Government and the agencies in my Department are working hard to keep up and continue to attract highly innovative and high quality foreign direct investment. LinkedIn is now one of Ireland’s leading technology employers, with employees from 55 nations which reflects the diversity that Dublin has to offer. I look forward to our mutually beneficial relationship continuing to develop in the years ahead.”
Sharon McCooey, Head of LinkedIn Ireland, commented: “With our new EMEA HQ in the heart of Dublin, we have an office that we are proud to call home, and we are honoured that An Taoiseach and An Tánaiste were able to join us for this landmark moment for our growth in Ireland. The level of our investment reflects our commitment to Ireland and the great work our amazing team in Dublin does every day.”
Linkedin’s Dublin operation serves the entire EMEA region supporting customers and members across two continents. The workforce includes people from 55 nations, in functions including sales, marketing, customer service, finance, analytics and engineering. LinkedIn is continuing to hire in Dublin, with more than 80 jobs currently advertised.
The five-storey building has been designed to create opportunities for LinkedIn staff and visitors to socialise, collaborate and exchange ideas. Some of the fantastic facilities include a music studio, a high-end gym and fitness studio, a restaurant, coffee bar, an expansive roof terrace, and a games room.
A number of Irish companies were involved in the building works, and at the height of the construction, which was completed in two years, the project saw 360 workers on site every day.
AECOM provided a Project Management lead integrated service delivery to LinkedIn working with RKD Architects and AECOM Building Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Cost Management, Building Surveying, LEED Consulting, and Health & Safety. RKD Architects were responsible for the design of both the building and the interior fit out. Walls Construction was the management contractor for the project. Seek Design handled the environmental graphic design
The building’s interior is reflective of the international nature of LinkedIn’s operations in Dublin. As the EMEA HQ, the site is home to employees from across the region, and the themes within the building reflect that diversity, with art from across Europe and beyond, and rooms named after brands, creatives, innovators, and places of learning across the countries served. The new building has already picked up its first award nomination as part of the 2017 Fit Out Awards.
The building lobby features a hand-woven tapestry representing the countries in the EMEA region to welcome employees and guests. The tapestry was woven by Irish artist Áine Dunne by hand on a simple four-sided frame loom, one of the earliest design techniques, and took three months to complete.
The office is a leading example of an environmentally sustainable, energy efficient construction that produces a low carbon footprint. Certified to LEED Gold standard, the building includes environmentally friendly design features such as a rainwater harvesting system, 250 bicycle parking spaces, and weather station controlled automatic blinds.
