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Apple announces major expansion in core of Seattle's tech scene

Apple announced Monday it will bring 2,000 Seattle jobs to South Lake Union in the next five years.

Apple is branching out into Seattle's South Lake Union, joining other tech giants Amazon, Facebook, and a new Google campus in the neighborhood.

Real estate executives from Apple joined Mayor Jenny Durkan on Monday afternoon to announce significant growth for the company in Seattle. 

Apple will occupy 333 Dexter, the former site of KING 5. More than 2,000 jobs will be added in the next five years, with 200 jobs added by the end of this year. 

"This is another sign that Seattle is thriving," Mayor Durkan said at the Monday afternoon announcement. 

GeekWire reports that Apple expansion includes two 12-story office towers totaling 630,000 square feet. Previous reports linked Facebook to expand at 333 Dexter.

WATCH: Apple and Mayor Durkan announce Seattle expanion

Kristina Raspe, Vice President of Global Real Estate and Facilities at Apple, said on Monday, "Seattle will become a key new engineering hub for Apple." 

Raspe detailed how the company's expansion doubles their original plan: 

Durkan released the following statement after Monday's announcement: 

"Apple’s expanded footprint in Seattle is another example of the growing opportunity that exists for residents of Seattle and the economic powerhouse our City has become."

She acknowledged the city will need to keep addressing transportation issues in regards to the job growth.

"Yet we know that as Seattle continues to grow, we must act urgently to address the pressures that follow – from tackling affordability to new affordable housing to increasing transit."

Durkan's statement continued, "By next year, an estimated 70% of jobs in Washington State will require some sort of post-secondary credential. It is my top priority that our kids growing up in Seattle today are prepared to fill the great engineering and computer science jobs that Apple announced today. That’s why we created the Seattle Promise and the Opportunity Promise – so our youth are connected with resources and put on a path to the good paying jobs of Seattle’s future.”  

The Downtown Seattle Association shared the following statement on Monday from President and CEO Jon Scholes: 

"Apple’s significant expansion in downtown underscores the growth of our technology sector and reinforces the confidence employers have in Seattle as a place to attract and retain top talent. At more than 314,000 jobs in downtown, today we have record employment in the heart of our city.  

With a rich mix of arts, culture, entertainment, sports and a top food scene, downtown is viewed now as the ultimate office amenity.  Apple’s growth in Seattle is a very welcome development and will further strengthen Seattle’s global position in the 21st century economy.”

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