I put together this longform graphic — a more sophisticated presentation for USA Today explainer graphics — as Amazon was narrowing its choice of a new second headquarters.

Using Seattle as the obvious example, I wanted to show what the new HQ2 site could expect from Amazon.

Amazon is not forthcoming on its real estate transactions. I ended up using a variety of sources to put together a narrative of the company’s growth through acquisitions. What surprised me the most was the volume of expansion — nearly the equal of five Empire State buildings over 10 years.

Reporter Elizabeth Weise and graphic artist Karl Gelles helped with research and mapping and were great to work with.

A link to the longform is here.