====== New Avengers Facility ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity: The New Avengers Facility, also known as the Avengers Compound, serves as the primary headquarters, training ground, and home for the Avengers following the fall of both [[s_h_i_e_l_d|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] and Avengers Tower.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **Role in the Universe:** This sprawling complex represents a significant shift for the Avengers, moving them from a highly public, urban skyscraper ([[avengers_tower]]) to a secluded, self-contained campus in upstate New York. It functions as a state-of-the-art command center, research and development lab, armory, and living quarters, centralizing all team operations. * **Primary Impact:** The Facility is the backdrop for the team's evolution and eventual fracture. It is where the New Avengers team was trained, where the ideological schism of the [[sokovia_accords]] took root, and ultimately, where the heroes made their last stand against [[thanos]] in the final battle for the universe, leading to its complete destruction. * **Key Incarnations:** While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) features a single, iconic, and purpose-built compound, its Earth-616 comics counterpart is less a single location and more a series of repurposed structures, most notably a Stark-owned aircraft hangar in Manhattan, reflecting the team's more fluid and often precarious status in the comics. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== The concept of a dedicated, advanced headquarters for the Avengers is as old as the team itself, with the original [[avengers_mansion]] debuting in //Avengers// #2 (1963). However, the specific entity known as the **New Avengers Facility** is primarily a creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, designed to reflect a new era for the team. Its first cinematic appearance was in **//Avengers: Age of Ultron// (2015)**, serving as the setting for the film's closing scenes. The visual design was conceived by production designer Charles Wood, who aimed to create a space that felt both futuristic and grounded, a stark contrast to the gleaming, corporate aesthetic of Stark Tower. The real-world filming location for the facility's distinctive exterior is the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, augmented with significant CGI. Its introduction into the MCU was a narrative necessity, providing the team with a secure, private base of operations after the destruction in the Battle of New York and the subsequent public scrutiny made a mid-Manhattan headquarters untenable. In the comics, a direct analogue with the same name and design does not exist. The closest equivalent emerged during the "All-New, All-Different Marvel" relaunch in 2015. Following the sale of Avengers Tower to Parker Industries, [[tony_stark]] relocated the team to a retrofitted Stark Industries aircraft hangar. This location first appeared as the team's base in **//All-New, All-Different Avengers// #1 (2015)**, written by Mark Waid with art by Adam Kubert. This comics version, often referred to as the Avengers Hangar, serves a similar logistical purpose but lacks the iconic status and deep narrative integration of its cinematic counterpart. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== The establishment of a new primary headquarters for the Avengers occurred under vastly different circumstances in the two main continuities, reflecting the unique challenges and resources available to each version of the team. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === In the aftermath of the universe-altering //Secret Wars// (2015) event, the landscape of the hero community was dramatically reshaped. [[tony_stark]], nearly bankrupt after his morality was inverted during the //AXIS// event, was forced to sell the iconic [[avengers_tower]]. The buyer was [[peter_parker]], whose company, Parker Industries, had become a global tech giant. With the Avengers' most famous home now the headquarters for Spider-Man's corporate empire, the team was left without a central base. To solve this problem, Tony Stark repurposed a cavernous, privately-owned **Stark Industries aircraft hangar** located in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. This was not a gleaming, purpose-built campus like the MCU version, but a practical, industrial, and relatively low-profile space. Its initial outfitting was overseen by [[maria_hill]], the former director of [[s_h_i_e_l_d|S.H.I.E.L.D.]], who provided logistical support and technology. This "Avengers Hangar" became the operational hub for the new roster of Avengers, which included stalwarts like Iron Man and Captain America (Sam Wilson), alongside newer members like Ms. Marvel ([[kamala_khan]]), Nova (Sam Alexander), and Spider-Man (Miles Morales). It housed their fleet of [[quinjet]]s and served as a briefing room and staging area. Later, in a stunning corporate maneuver, the heroic Roberto da Costa ([[sunspot]]) used his vast fortune to buy out the villainous science organization [[a_i_m|Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.)]] and rebranded it as **Avengers Idea Mechanics**. He then took control of the Avengers Hangar, significantly upgrading its technology and using it as the global headquarters for his own Avengers team, which operated more like a proactive global intelligence and rescue agency. This iteration of the base was eventually destroyed during the //Secret Empire// event when it was targeted by [[hydra]]. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The origin of the MCU's New Avengers Facility is a direct consequence of the events of //Captain America: The Winter Soldier// (2014) and //Avengers: Age of Ultron// (2015). The infiltration and collapse of [[s_h_i_e_l_d|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] removed the primary logistical and intelligence support structure the Avengers had relied on. Concurrently, the immense destruction caused during the Battle of Sokovia and the public backlash against the Avengers made their highly visible base at Stark Tower a liability. Recognizing the need for a more secure, private, and expansive headquarters, Tony Stark financed the complete renovation of a former Stark Industries warehouse and manufacturing plant in a remote, wooded area of **upstate New York**. This project transformed the industrial site into a sprawling, state-of-the-art campus. The facility was designed to be entirely self-sufficient, serving not only as a command center but as a home, a research lab, and a training ground for a new generation of heroes. The facility was officially unveiled at the end of //Age of Ultron//, where [[steve_rogers|Captain America]] and [[natasha_romanoff|Black Widow]] began training the "New Avengers" roster, consisting of [[sam_wilson|Falcon]], [[wanda_maximoff|Scarlet Witch]], [[vision]], and [[james_rhodes|War Machine]]. It was a symbol of a new chapter for the team—one where they would be more proactive and institutionalized, operating under their own authority. This new beginning, however, was short-lived, as the facility soon became the very place where the team's internal divisions would fester and ultimately lead to their schism in //Captain America: Civil War//. ===== Part 3: Composition, Layout & Capabilities ===== The design, features, and overall capabilities of the Avengers' headquarters differ significantly between the comics' utilitarian hangar and the MCU's all-encompassing campus. === Earth-616 (Avengers Hangar) === The comics' Avengers Hangar was, first and foremost, a functional and industrial space. It was not designed for long-term residency or public relations. * **Primary Structure:** A massive, single-level aircraft hangar large enough to house multiple [[quinjet]]s and other vehicles. Its interior was largely open-plan, with designated zones for different functions. * **Key Areas:** * **Hangar Bay:** The central area used for vehicle maintenance, launch, and landing. This was the hub of all activity. * **Briefing & Command Center:** A section equipped with large holographic displays and communication consoles, typically set up near the center of the hangar floor. This is where the team planned missions and monitored global threats. * **Workshops & Labs:** Basic workshop areas for [[tony_stark]] and other tech-savvy members to work on equipment, though not as advanced as the dedicated labs in Avengers Tower or the MCU facility. * **Security:** The hangar was protected by Stark-level security systems, including energy barriers and automated defenses, but its primary defense was its relative anonymity compared to a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. * **Upgrades by A.I.M.:** When Roberto da Costa's Avengers Idea Mechanics took over, they invested heavily in upgrading the facility. They installed more sophisticated laboratory equipment, enhanced global surveillance capabilities, and integrated A.I.M.'s advanced technology, turning the simple hangar into a far more formidable intelligence and R&D hub. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (New Avengers Facility) === The MCU's facility is a masterpiece of modern architecture and advanced technology, designed to be the ultimate super-hero headquarters. Its layout and features have been revealed across multiple films. ==== Exterior and Grounds ==== Located on a massive, privately-owned plot of land in upstate New York, the facility is surrounded by dense forest, providing a natural buffer and privacy. * **Architectural Style:** The main building features a sleek, low-profile design characterized by sweeping curves, extensive use of glass, and a metallic finish, allowing it to blend into the landscape. * **Landing Zones:** Multiple launch and landing pads are situated on the grounds and on the roof of the main building, accommodating [[quinjet]]s and other aircraft. * **Training Grounds:** The surrounding area includes open fields and wooded terrain used for outdoor combat and tactical training exercises. * **Access:** A single, heavily secured road provides ground access, with checkpoints and surveillance systems monitoring all approaches. ==== Interior Layout and Key Areas ==== The interior is a vast, multi-level complex with dozens of specialized rooms and sections. * **Main Concourse & Common Area:** A large, open-plan area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds. It serves as a lounge and informal gathering space for the team, furnished with modern sofas and a kitchen area. This is where Vision is first seen attempting to cook in //Captain America: Civil War//. * **Conference Room:** A high-tech meeting room dominated by a large central table and equipped with advanced holographic displays and secure communication links. This is the room where Secretary Thaddeus Ross presents the Sokovia Accords to the team, a pivotal moment that ignites their conflict. * **Training Hangar:** A cavernous hangar used for indoor combat simulation and training. It features reinforced walls and advanced diagnostic equipment to monitor performance. This is the setting for the fight between [[ant-man|Scott Lang]] and Falcon in //Ant-Man// (2015). * **Advanced Laboratories:** The facility houses some of the most advanced scientific labs on the planet. These were used by Tony Stark and [[bruce_banner]] for everything from creating the "time-space GPS" to analyzing the Mind Stone. In //Avengers: Endgame//, Rocket Raccoon and Banner work here to construct the nano-gauntlet. * **Residential Quarters:** Each Avenger has their own private living quarters, akin to a modern apartment. We see inside Wanda Maximoff's room in //Civil War//, which includes a living area and personal effects, highlighting the facility's function as a true home. * **Quantum Tunnel Hangar:** A massive, specialized hangar constructed within the facility to house the Quantum Tunnel, the centerpiece of the Time Heist in //Avengers: Endgame//. The platform is large enough to accommodate the entire team. * **Command Center:** During the five-year gap after the Snap, Natasha Romanoff operates from a global command center within the facility, coordinating with the remaining heroes like Rocket, Nebula, Okoye, and Captain Marvel via holographic communication. * **Medical Bay:** A fully equipped medical wing capable of treating superhuman injuries. ==== Technological Systems & Defenses ==== The facility is powered by its own clean energy [[arc_reactor]] and operated by one of Stark's most advanced A.I.s. * **F.R.I.D.A.Y.:** The primary operational A.I. for the facility, managing security, communications, environmental controls, and lab equipment. * **Security:** Layers of defense include biometric scanners, energy shields that can cover the entire compound, automated sentry turrets, and a comprehensive surveillance network. Despite this, it was successfully infiltrated by Scott Lang and completely obliterated by a targeted bombardment from Thanos's warship, the //Sanctuary II//. ===== Part 4: Key Personnel & Occupants ===== The facility was more than just a building; it was defined by the heroes who lived, trained, and fought within its walls. ==== Founders & Leadership ==== * **Tony Stark (Iron Man):** The visionary and financier. Stark single-handedly funded the construction and outfitting of the facility. He saw it as the necessary evolution of the Avengers initiative—a way to professionalize the team and give them the resources they needed without relying on external agencies. He served as its de facto administrator and chief technologist. * **Steve Rogers (Captain America):** The operational and moral leader. While Stark built the facility, Rogers was responsible for building the team within it. He led the training of the New Avengers roster and established the day-to-day culture of the base. His leadership defined the facility's initial purpose as a place of duty and service. ==== Primary Residents & Teams ==== The roster of heroes calling the facility home changed dramatically over its relatively short lifespan, mirroring the tumultuous state of the team itself. * **The "New Avengers" Roster (Post-Ultron):** The facility's first occupants were the team assembled at the end of //Age of Ultron//: Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, Vision, and Scarlet Witch. This group represented the ideal of what the facility was meant to be: a school for the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. * **The Fractured Team (Post-Civil War):** After the signing of the Sokovia Accords and the subsequent conflict, the facility became the headquarters for the Pro-Registration faction led by Tony Stark, with Vision and War Machine as its primary residents. The anti-registration heroes led by Captain America were forced into hiding, leaving the vast compound feeling empty and serving as a constant reminder of the team's failure. * **The Survivors (Post-Snap):** In the five years following Thanos's victory, the facility took on a somber, crucial role as the headquarters for the remaining Avengers. Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, and James Rhodes operated from the compound, using it as a base to maintain what little order they could in a broken world. It was a place of grief and loss, but also of enduring hope, housing the brain trust that would eventually conceive of the Time Heist. ==== Significant Events & Incursions ==== The facility was the site of several pivotal conflicts, both internal and external. * **Infiltration by Ant-Man (MCU):** Scott Lang's first mission for Hank Pym was to steal a piece of technology from the facility. His ensuing fight with Falcon was the first test of the compound's security and served as Falcon's introduction to the shrinking hero. * **The Civil War (MCU):** The facility was the ideological battleground for the Avengers. The tense debate over the Sokovia Accords, Vision's confinement of Wanda, and the eventual departure of Captain America's faction all took place within its walls, transforming it from a home into a gilded cage. * **Destruction by Thanos (MCU):** The facility met its end in //Avengers: Endgame//. When the 2014 version of Thanos and his army time-traveled to 2023, his first act was to launch a massive orbital bombardment that completely leveled the entire compound. The final battle for the fate of the universe was fought among the smoldering ruins of the Avengers' home, a powerfully symbolic end to an era. ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== The New Avengers Facility was the setting for some of the most critical turning points in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga. ==== The Sokovia Accords Debated (//Captain America: Civil War//) ==== The facility's conference room was the crucible in which the Avengers were broken. After a mission in Lagos goes wrong, Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross arrives at the compound to deliver an ultimatum: the Sokovia Accords. The scene is thick with tension as Ross plays back footage of the Avengers' "victories," reframing them as moments of unchecked destruction in New York, Washington D.C., and Sokovia. The facility, designed to unify and strengthen the team, becomes the place where their foundational disagreement—accountability versus freedom—is laid bare. The sleek, sterile environment of the conference room underscores the cold, bureaucratic nature of the conflict, a stark contrast to the passionate, personal arguments that erupt between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. This event transforms the facility from a hopeful new home into the first battleground of the Avengers' civil war. ==== The Blip and the Five-Year Gap (//Avengers: Endgame//) ==== After Thanos's snap, the New Avengers Facility became a ghost of its former self, a sprawling, empty monument to failure. For five years, it served as the somber headquarters for the survivors. Natasha Romanoff used its command center to hold the universe together, coordinating with a skeleton crew of heroes across the galaxy. The facility's once-vibrant common areas were now quiet, its advanced labs dormant. It was a place of profound grief, where Steve Rogers ran support groups and the remaining heroes grappled with their loss. However, it was also the birthplace of hope. Scott Lang's miraculous return from the Quantum Realm brings him to the facility's front gate, and it is within these walls that the audacious "Time Heist" is planned. The facility during this period symbolizes the Avengers' lowest point and their unyielding resolve to undo it. ==== The Final Battle (//Avengers: Endgame//) ==== The most iconic event associated with the facility is its own demise. As the Avengers prepare to use the new Infinity Gauntlet, Nebula's connection to her past self allows the 2014 Thanos to locate them. His warship, the //Sanctuary II//, unleashes a devastating barrage of energy blasts that obliterate the entire compound in seconds. The heroes are buried in the rubble, and the final, climactic battle of the Infinity Saga takes place on the scorched earth and twisted metal that was once their home. The destruction is absolute and symbolic. It represents the complete erasure of the old Avengers infrastructure, forcing the heroes to fight for the universe's future with nothing left but each other, on the very ground where their family was forged and later shattered. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== While the New Avengers Facility is a singular location, its function as the team's primary headquarters has been filled by several other notable locations across Marvel's multiverse. * **[[avengers_tower|Avengers Tower]]:** The most famous predecessor to the facility in both the MCU and Earth-616. Formerly Stark Tower, its key difference was its location and nature. Situated in the heart of New York City, it was a public-facing symbol of the Avengers. Its high visibility was both a PR asset and a security liability, a stark contrast to the secluded, private nature of the upstate New York compound. The move from the Tower to the Facility represents the team's shift from public celebrities to a more insulated, quasi-military organization. * **[[avengers_mansion|Avengers Mansion]]:** The original headquarters in the comics. A historic Fifth Avenue mansion bequeathed to the team by Tony Stark, it served as their home and base for decades. Like the Tower, it was a well-known landmark in NYC. It holds a legacy and history that the newer facilities lack, having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout major storylines. * **The Triskelion:** In the MCU, the Triskelion was [[s_h_i_e_l_d|S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'s headquarters in Washington D.C. While not an Avengers base, it serves as a point of comparison. It was a government-run, bureaucratic facility that represented order and intelligence, but also secrecy and corruption, as revealed by its infiltration by [[hydra]]. The New Avengers Facility, by contrast, was privately funded and operated by the heroes themselves, representing their attempt at self-governance. * **West Coast Avengers Compound:** In the comics, Vision established a second Avengers branch, founding the West Coast Avengers. Their headquarters was a sprawling compound on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in California. Functionally, it was very similar to the New Avengers Facility—a self-contained campus with training areas, living quarters, and hangars—but its West Coast setting and distinct roster gave it a completely different identity and feel. ===== See Also ===== * [[avengers]] * [[tony_stark]] * [[steve_rogers]] * [[avengers_tower]] * [[sokovia_accords]] * [[the_infinity_saga]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((The exterior of the New Avengers Facility in the MCU is primarily the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich, England. Additional buildings and features were added with CGI.)) ((In //Spider-Man: Homecoming//, Happy Hogan is seen overseeing the transfer of all equipment from the sold Avengers Tower to the New Avengers Facility, a move that forms the central plot of the film as the Vulture's crew attempts to hijack the cargo.)) ((The question of who owns the land and what happened to the ruins of the facility after the events of //Avengers: Endgame// has not yet been addressed in the MCU.)) ((In the comics, the move from the highly public Avengers Tower to the more discreet Avengers Hangar was driven by Tony Stark's financial ruin, a stark contrast to the MCU where the move was a strategic decision made from a position of immense wealth.)) ((Production designer Charles Wood stated that the goal for the facility's design was to create something that looked like a "real-world, plausible, high-tech research and development campus" rather than a traditional comic book super-base.)) ((The facility's destruction in //Endgame// is one of the largest-scale practical and digital effects sequences in the entire MCU, involving the digital recreation and subsequent demolition of the entire complex.))