
Walmart Inc. of Bentonville on Friday plans to unveil its new headquarters on 350 acres after five years of construction.
A ceremony marking the occasion was set for 3 p.m. at Sam Walton Hall, a new 200,000-SF, two-story auditorium featuring advanced conference, learning and development spaces. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is among those planning to attend. A phased opening of the campus on nine city blocks will continue through 2025.
In a news release Friday, the company called the project a multibillion-dollar investment that “establishes a new standard for corporate headquarters that prioritizes worker well-being, environmental stewardship, and public accessibility.”
Construction on Walmart’s home office began in 2019 with demolition, infrastructure and utility work. The exact cost of the project hasn’t been disclosed. Arkansas Business reported that the project propelled commercial building permits to record highs in the first half of 2021.
The campus includes 12 office buildings and 10 community buildings that feature mass timber construction, smart office technology and renewable power sources.
The campus also includes:
- A 360,000-SF health and fitness center
- Helen’s Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue honoring Helen Robson Walton’s legacy, featuring terraced seating and a tree-canopied lawn for campus and community gatherings
- 8th & Plate, a food hall offering global cuisine through seven coffee shops, food truck pavilions, grab-and-go markets, a rooftop lounge and street-front retail and restaurants
- Retail shops open to the public featuring locally and nationally recognized brands, including Bentonville Bicycle Company, Flyway Brewing, Gearhead Outfitters, The Gents Place, Hatch Early Mood Food, Jamba Juice, Riserva Bar + Tapas, Swig, Walmart Pharmacy, Wright’s BBQ and Yokozuna Sushi
- Little Squiggles Children’s Enrichment Center, a on-site child care facility that opened in 2024
Walmart’s eco-friendly campus design incorporates more than 750,000 native plants into the landscape, including 5,000 planted trees, reflecting the native habitats of the Ozarks. Shaded walkways and dedicated bike paths create an environment that “promotes active commuting while reducing traffic and parking demands,” the release said.
More than 13 acres of lake reservoirs are smart technology-enabled to assist in water management, while dynamic glass designed to reduce energy load and LED lighting is fitted throughout all structures.
Seven miles of pedestrian paths and bike trails connect to a rentable bike fleet, more than 1,000 bike parking spots, and 300 electric vehicle charging stations.