More than 1,500 Microsoft employees began moving into Building Two at The Bravern last month, according to Schnitzer West officials. Microsoft already occupies 11 floors in Building One at the corner of 112th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street.

This second phase of the Microsoft move-in is expected to take two and a half months to complete, at which time the company will occupy the additional 500,000 square feet on 23 floors in Building Two at the corner of 110th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street for a combined total of 750,000 square feet.

“We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with the iconic brand of Microsoft into what we expect to be an equally iconic location for the Puget Sound region,” says Schnitzer West Senior Investment Manager Pam Hirsch.

The office tower’s mechanical and electrical systems offer an enhanced level of service that doubles the design capacity of a typical Bellevue Central Business District, Class “A” office building. The highly customized build-out of the office tower includes a dense network of premium offices, above-market interior finishes, and conference and training rooms with fully equipped audio/video systems.

The Building Two lobby features a two-story-tall fireplace with rustic, bronze logs and a 12-foot-tall, one-of-a-kind Charles Loomis chandelier made up of 120 custom glass pieces. In addition, various artworks and pottery from local artisans will soon adorn the space. A spiral staircase surrounds the open-well lobby, joining the first two levels. A nearby escalator and elevators provides additional mobility.

The Bravern is scheduled for completion in 2009.