Google is reportedly investing in a huge work space for its burgeoning number of engineers from recent acquisitions by leasing a 35,000-square-foot building in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood.
Google is reportedly planning to put its roots in the controversial San Francisco area that has seen several protests against tech companies trying to make it a high tech zone. Google reportedly leased a massive building in the heart of Mission at 285 Alabama Street to create something "cool" for its engineering team, after all the web giant has bagged several new tech firms recently.
According to a report from Financial Times, Google's newly leased building in San Francisco measures 35,000-square-feet, enough to house 200 employees. "When Google is buying companies, they don't want to work in the big corporate building in San Francisco or Mountain View. So they are acquiring something cool in the Mission where engineers want to work," a source from the neighborhood told the Financial Times.
The massive building Google is eyeing was a newspaper and catalog printing office for Howard Quinn. The printing business ran for half a century before it was closed down in 2012 due to the increasing popularity of online publishing, the report said.
Another report from Venture Capital Post claims that the building can also be used for manufacturing. The site, which was constructed in 1920s, is zoned for manufacturing and Google's interest in the antique building could lead to more acquisitions with expertise in hardware. This can be helpful as the web giant is into wearable technology, robotics and internet-connected things.
Google's new office will be used by engineers from the company's most recent acquisitions. In January, Google acquired internet-connected home device maker Nest Labs in a deal worth $3.2 billion. The web giant also took over Boston Dynamics in December, company that develops nature-inspired robots and is led by former Android head Andy Rubin. Most recently, Israel-based SlickLogin, a startup that develops security technology, was added to Google portfolio and it is reported that engineers from its latest acquisitions will work at the new office at Mission.
Google did not confirm the news of its latest office in the San Francisco area. This move is likely to make several residents unhappy, as protesters have raised concerns over raised rents and gentrified neighborhoods. A local anti-Google group made the news for stalking and protesting at one of Google's top executive's house and also blocking a Google bus for about 30 minutes at Ashby BART.
