Microsoft to Spend $1 Billion on Facility

Microsoft Corp. said it would spend $1 billion expanding its main campus to make room for staff for new projects.

The company said it would buy seven buildings in Redmond, Wash., and construct seven others, adding 3.1 million square feet of work space.

Between those additions and some leased space, Microsoft will add capacity for 12,000 people.

Microsoft plans to boost its workforce by as much as 5,000 worldwide this year, with about 40% of the hiring in the U.S., it said.