DreamWorks Animation opens new facility in Redwood City

DreamWorks Animation is bulking up its Northern California studio.

The Glendale-based company behind the “Shrek” and “Madagascar” movies on Thursday unveiled a new 200,000-square-foot headquarters for its PDI animation facility in Redwood City.

The new campus overlooking San Francisco Bay is one-third larger than the previous one (at the same location) and has an on-site clinic for a doctor’s office and nutritionist, a larger cafe and more outdoor space with gas heaters “to permit hanging outside year-round.” It also has a giant topiary of the company’s Moonboy, just like in Glendale.

“DreamWorks Animation employees in Redwood City now have a home that complements the outstanding quality of their work, “ CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said. “This new building was designed not only to give them the best tools in the world but also an exceptional and unique work environment.”

Company executives said they needed additional space to expand operations and house departments under one roof.

PDI currently has 526 employees and will add another 200 workers over the next three years, the company said. In total, DreamWorks employs 2,191.

PDI served as the home base for DreamWorks’ latest release, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” which has grossed nearly $480 million worldwide since its release last month. The studio’s next project is “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” from director Rob Minkoff, scheduled for release late next year.

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