Apple announced in April that it would invest $430 billion over five years to create more jobs than 20,000 as the company expands. Apple's North Carolina engineering and research center will be a key part of this plan. Apple will invest over $1 billion in it and hire at least 3,000 people.Assemblage seven properties in Research Triangle Park, owned by Apple Assemblage seven properties in Research Triangle Park, owned by AppleApple purchased the land to build its North Carolina campus in late 2018. It bought about 280 acres of Research Triangle Park (RTP), near Raleigh, for $50 million. However, Apple did not announce plans for an Austin campus until this year.Apple's RTP campus will be up and running in several years. However, the company is making progress with plans to rent more than 200,000 square feet of temporary space in Cary.Apple will take the latest facility, which was built in the last eight years by MetLife. MetLife has decided to consolidate its Cary operations in two buildings on the campus, and make the entire third available for lease. This is due to the global health crisis that has affected corporate facility requirements around the globe.Apple will take Building 3 (at right) at MetLife campus Cary, North Carolina Apple is taking Building 3(at left) at MetLife campus Cary, North CarolinaAccording to plans filed with Cary, Apple will occupy the entire MetLife III building's seven floors, which covers more than 220,000 square feet. Apple's initial phase of building out the building includes three floors. However, documents from the architect show that Apple intends to occupy the entire building within the next few years.The town approved the plans on July 8th and 9, which allowed construction to start. The filings show that the initial renovations will cost close to $5.5 million. They are also quite limited in scope. Apple is largely keeping the open plan previously used by MetLife.Layout for second floor (click to enlarge)Apple will do some demolition work in select areas of the first floor, and will reconfigure other spaces to suit its needs. However, Apple won't make major changes or incur large expenses because its tenure is likely to be short.Apple's future RTP campus is still in its infancy. However, that's not surprising given the announcement was made a few months ago. Apple will likely continue to work with architects and other professionals to finalize its plans.
