It’s been a long-time dream of hers!
Nike has named a new building in honor of Serena Williams, CBS News reports.
Nike recently announced a 1-million-square-foot building at their headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon named in honor of tennis phenom Serena Williams. The Serena Williams Building will be used to house the company’s design, insights and merchandising teams, boasting a tripartite structure inspired by Williams’ remarkable legacy. The 23-time grand slam champion took to Instagram to share what an honor it was, saying it has always been a dream of hers.
“There is something to be said about setting goals. When I was just a kid, I visited the Nike campus and I saw that athletes get buildings. After that visit, I knew I wanted two things; to be a Nike athlete and to have a building. I set my goals high. I knew I would have to be elite, and not only the best, but someone that changes the course of sport. And now, here we are,” she wrote.
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The building is the largest on Nike’s campus, LEED Platinum-certified and includes a 140-seat theater named after Williams’ daughter Olympia. Williams called it “beyond an honor,” and the result of her “blood sweat and many tears, many trophies.” Nike chief design officer, John Hoke, spoke about the importance of championing athletes in this way for the company.
“Architecture has long been a creative catalyst for Nike. A manifestation of form and function following footprint, this building embodies Serena’s legacy as a force for positive change,” said Hoke.
Williams is one of just three women athletes with a building on Nike’s campus, including two-time Olympic gold medalist soccer player Mia Hamm and Olympic long-distance runner Joan Benoit Samuelson. Williams said she hopes this honor inspires others to dream big.
“The whole building takes your breath away. Every element, everywhere you go, is an opportunity to be inspired. I hope this building encourages people to bring out the best of themselves and to dream bigger than they thought possible,” she told reporters.
Congratulations, Serena! Thanks for always reminding us that the possibilities are endless.
Photo Courtesy of Ricardo Nagaoka/NIKE