After six years of planning, design, and construction, Marriott International has opened its global headquarters  in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. The 21-story, 785,000-square-foot, LEEDv4 Gold-certified building is the new workplace for corporate associates, supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories around the world.

Marriott’s new HQ campus, which includes the new Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ hotel, is designed to enable connectivity, collaboration, growth, ideation, and well-being through diverse and dynamic spaces and state-of-the-art technology.

The new building will also serve as a global hub for Marriott’s research and development operation, featuring its Innovation and Design Lab, a premium test kitchen and beverage bar, as well as “model” hotel rooms in the adjacent Marriott hotel, where new concepts, design elements, service approaches, and amenities will be tested for potential use across the company’s portfolio of 30 brands. Travel industry website Travel Weekly recently featured the innovative new space .

“Unveiling our new global headquarters is an exceptional way to celebrate our 95 years of culture and innovation,” said David Marriott, chairman of the Board, Marriott International. “This campus honors our storied history and roots in the local community, while showcasing Marriott’s exciting next chapter of growth as we remain dedicated to our purpose of connecting people through the power of travel.”

“Marriott has called Maryland home since 1955 and their new state-of-the-art headquarters in Bethesda ensures that Marriott will continue to call Maryland home for generations to come,” said Governor Hogan . “We take great pride in Marriott as a Maryland institution that is a powerful economic engine and committed community partner. The new headquarters is the perfect place for Marriott to continue its work as the world’s largest hospitality company.”