Amazon begins moving into first South Lake Union buildings

Amazon.com has begun moving into its new digs in the South Lake Union area of Seattle — door desks and all.

Developers Vulcan Real Estate and Schnitzer West said Tuesday the complex's first phase is now complete. It includes three office buildings on the block bounded by Terry Avenue North, Boren Avenue North and Harrison and Republican streets, as well as a building at the southwest corner of Terry Avenue North and Mercer Street.

Amazon is known for using doors as desks to foster a sense of frugality among employees, and the tradition lives on at its new headquarters. A conference room in the century-old Van Vorst Building, once a stable for delivery-wagon horses, even uses the door desks as ceiling decorations.

"It's really a unique part of our culture," said spokeswoman Michele Glisson.

Six more buildings in the Amazon complex are being built or renovated, and construction of an 11th building is scheduled to start next year.

Thousands of Amazon employees, now spread across several office buildings throughout Seattle, eventually will move to the South Lake Union campus.

"We'll have folks continue to move in throughout the month and of course over the next few years," Glisson said.

— Amy Martinez and Eric Pryne