Walmart unveils parts of 350-acre corporate campus in Bentonville

Walmart on Friday (Jan. 17) opened part of its new corporate campus sprawled over 350 acres in the heart of Bentonville to the media. More than 15,000 corporate employees will work at the new headquarters when it opens in phases throughout this year.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon first shared his vision for a new corporate campus in September 2017 and work began on the multi-year project in 2019. In mid-2020 the retailer took time to re-think the project amid the global pandemic that prompted the remote work reality.

Since 2021, the expansive and expensive project has been a flurry of activity. Walmart said the campus establishes a new standard for corporate headquarters that prioritizes worker well-being, environmental stewardship and public accessibility. Walmart said employee feedback and innovative design helped create the new workplace.

“Our new Home Office honors our heritage and the contributions that generations of associates have made to help people save and have a better life. Our founder, Sam Walton, knew that when we all work together, ideas flourish, and this campus will allow us to keep making a positive difference in our customers’ lives for generations to come,” McMillon said.

Cindi Marsiglio, senior vice president of real estate at Walmart, who oversaw the massive, multi-year project, said Walmart employees have managed more than 8 million project hours to date, and are expected to reach 10 million by the time the campus is fully complete,

“Today marks a moment I’ve been dreaming about for years. After lots of planning, groundbreaking ceremonies and hard hat tours, we’re celebrating the opening of our New Home Office campus in Bentonville. And wow, what a place it is. Countless people poured their hearts into this project to create something extraordinary for our associates and our community,” she said in a statement.

The campus includes a welcome center for visitors and employees, and the Helen’s Amphitheater named after Walmart co-founder Helen Robson Walton that has terraced seating and a tree-canopied lawn for campus and community gatherings. The first two of 12 office spaces are dubbed Cheer and Ol’Roy to note the company’s culture and history. The retailer’s fashion division is in the Cheer building, and the pets and outdoor divisions are in the Ol’Roy building. Each of the office buildings will be named after some Walmart legend or tradition.

The 8th & Plate food hall will have seven coffee shops, food truck pavilions, grab-and-go markets, a rooftop lounge and street-front retail and restaurants. The street front retail will include Bentonville Bicycle Company, Flyway Brewing, Gearhead Outfitters, The Gents Place, Hatch Early Mood Food, Jamba Juice, Reserve Bar + Tapas, Swig, Walmart Pharmacy, Wrights BBQ and Yokozuna Sushi. Walmart said the street front retail will be available in the spring.

Also on campus is a 360,000-square-foot Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center on campus and onsite childcare – Little Squiggles Children’s of Enrichment Center – which opened in 2024.

The retailer also integrated more than 750,000 native plants, including 5,000 planted trees on campus. Walmart said 50% of the total acreage is devoted to green space. There will be shaded walkways and seven miles of bike and pedestrian trails that connect to a rentable bike fleet. There will be more than 1,000 bike parking spots and 300 EV charging stations for employees and visitors.

Walmart is using smart technology systems including enhanced mobile applications, drone exterior window washing, autonomous mowing and vacuums, and smart room booking systems.

Editor’s note: This is the first of two stories about the new campus. The second story will be posted Saturday.