Former Kuala Lumpur City Mayor Huang Shaoxiong revealed the secret behind signing the Apple headquarters during his tenure_1

In December 2019, Gilbert Wong, the former mayor of Cupertino, had the rare opportunity to visit Apple’s headquarters during its only public open day. In an exclusive interview, Wong shared insights into the complex process of securing a contract with Apple during his tenure as mayor. He recalled a memorable moment when he was led by Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs into a private room, where he glimpsed the highly confidential blueprints of the Apple campus. He also reflected on his negotiations with Apple’s esteemed CFO, Luca Maestri.

Wong’s journey in Cupertino began in 2002 when he served on the city’s planning commission. He was a city council member from 2007 to 2016 and held the mayoral office in both 2011 and 2013. During his time as mayor, he played a crucial role in facilitating Apple’s decision to establish its headquarters in Cupertino, navigating successful negotiations with city staff.

While serving as vice mayor in 2010, Wong received an unexpected phone call from Apple inviting him to a meeting. Initially thinking it would be a casual discussion, he was taken aback to find himself face-to-face with Jobs, who was wearing his signature black turtleneck. At that time, Jobs was battling pancreatic cancer, and their conversation even ventured into the benefits of acupuncture as a complementary therapy.

As their discussion transitioned to Apple’s plans for its headquarters in Cupertino, Jobs turned to Wong and said, “Gilbert, I want to invite you into this room to see our next project. Can we step into this dark room?” He then produced a key and opened an unassuming door. What Wong saw on the other side was right out of a movie—a massive model of the Apple campus, designed like a spaceship.

Wong vividly described the model: “It was an incredibly detailed representation of the Apple headquarters. You could see tables, people, trees, cars, and even a four-story cafeteria.” Witnessing the future site of Apple’s groundbreaking campus left Wong deeply inspired. Jobs began asking him about various technical aspects, discussing the building’s height and its setbacks.

However, negotiating with Apple was no small task. Wong highlighted the challenges he faced when trying to engage with the company’s upper management. In 2013, when Apple’s CFO Maestri called to discuss the headquarters project, Wong was about to head out for a family outing. He explained that family time was his priority and asked Maestri to call back later.

When they reconnected that afternoon, Maestri stressed the project’s significance, while Wong insisted that the city needed to widen the Wolf Road overpass next to Apple’s headquarters from four lanes to six, with Apple sharing the costs. “If you could get Tim Cook on board, I’d like to see a six-lane interchange. The residents need more lanes to cross Interstate 280 to Wolf Road,” Wong said.

The negotiations included some back-and-forth, and though Apple initially hesitated over the additional widening costs, they ultimately reached an agreement in October 2013. The plan for the Wolf Road overpass widening would proceed, with Apple committed to funding the construction, projected to start in 2024 or 2025, once enough funds were gathered.

Wong pointed out that recent audits regarding California’s online sales tax would not impact this project, clarifying that those tax issues were unrelated.

Looking back on his negotiations with Apple, Wong emphasized that he played a significant behind-the-scenes role in advancing the city’s development as both a city council member and mayor. He even encountered threats during this process, particularly during his second term as mayor, but he asserted, “I was not afraid under pressure.”

Wong still keeps his visitor badge from the 2019 open house at Apple’s headquarters, a cherished reminder of a significant chapter in Cupertino’s history.