Blackboard opens its new global HQ in Northern Virginia

Edtech company Blackboard has officially moved into its new global headquarters in Northern Virginia.

The company’s new location combines its former D.C. and Reston, Virginia, operations. Blackboard first announced the move at the beginning of last year. The new office now houses the company’s DMV employees. Blackboard reports having 350 team members, who either work in-office or remotely on any given day.

#MondayMotivation We moved! So excited to start our new journey in Reston, VA. Learn why we chose Reston for our new global #HQ here: https://t.co/kwkxtAjLJB pic.twitter.com/sBiGhTK7xQ

— Blackboard (@Blackboard) January 27, 2020

“We are thrilled to bring our team together in one convenient and collaborative environment centrally located in the Northern Virginia tech corridor,” said Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus in a statement. “We look forward to the convenience of the Reston area and being a part of this growing tech community.”

When picking its new office, the edtech company considered things like public transportation convenience, best value and lifestyle amenities. Blackboard now occupies the 11th floor of a building situated at 11720 Plaza America Drive in Reston, which is less than a mile from the Reston Town Center, six miles from the Dulles International Airport and a short trip to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station.

Washington, D.C.-based SmithGroup designed the office while Alexandria, Virginia-based DWatts Construction led construction on the project. The new office even has some games for its employees to indulge in.

It’s all fun and games at the Blackboard headquarters. (Courtesy photo)

“This modern, vibrant, state-of-the art space is designed to serve as a global hub and foster community, collaboration and innovation across our company,” said Ballhaus in a press release.

With Amazon‘s second headquarters moving into Northern Virginia, we’ve been following how the local tech community is responding to this. Though Blackboard didn’t explicitly report this move has anything to do with the ecommerce giant, the timing shows a lot, since the edtech company inked a deal to remain in the District less than four years ago with the help of Mayor Muriel Bowser. Local universities and organizations, including  WhyHotel and Vantage Data Centers, are also making strides to move into the Northern Virginia area.