Google has unveiled the details of its new London headquarters. The internet giant submitted plans for the one million sq ft development to Camden Council on Friday and, if approval is granted, construction is expected to begin early next year.
The building will be located on a 2.4 acre plot of land in Kings Cross that has cost Google £650 million. The purchase continues the company’s recent practice of buying or developing property rather than renting. Other purchases include premises in Dublin and Paris.
Unlike many London commercial developments, Google’s headquarters will not be a skyscraper. Instead the building will snake 330 metres from Regent’s Canal to King’s Cross Station, ranging in height from seven to eleven storeys. Alongside office space there will be 50,000 sq ft of retail space and a 20,000 sq ft bike park.
In keeping with Google’s reputation for creating ‘fun’ office environments, it has been revealed that the property will include a climbing wall between floors.
Dan Cobley, Google UK’s managing director, said; “Building our new headquarters in King’s Cross is good for Google and good for London.
“We’re committed to the UK and to playing a role in the regeneration of this historic area.”
The proposed headquarters lies within the 67 acre King’s Cross Central redevelopment area, formerly the site of former fish, coal and grain stores. The regeneration project will deliver a mixture of homes, offices and shops and is expected to create 35,000 jobs.
The architects say the plans reflect this industrial heritage but are underpinned by cutting edge technology and design to produce a “twenty-first century working environment for Google’s staff.”
The building is scheduled to be completed in 2016 and will house staff currently based at other London locations.
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