Google’s future Californian HQ might not be viable anymore as city councilors of Mountain View favors LinkedIn’s expansion plans. According to Silicon Valley Business Journal, 1,400,000 square meters of commercial land in the North Bayshore was allegedly granted to LinkedIn early last week. Google, on the other hand, was only allotted with around 515,000 square meters which is only sufficient to build one of the four buildings that its designers BIG and Heatherwick Studios have proposed.
There was a lot of buzz concerning the construction of Google’s Mountain View campus especially once it was announced that its internal structures will be built using crane robots. There’s no word yet as to how Google will go through this blow- whether the construction is still feasible or if they will have to look for a new location for their futuristic headquarters.
In an email statement reported by Archinect, David Radcliffe, Google’s VP for real estate, said “We know the City Council had a tough decision to make last night and thank them and our community for more than six hours of debate.” Radcliffe added that the company will still pursue working with the council towards the future of Google’s headquarters in Mountain View.
In a separate report by SVJB, Jorge Morgensen, LinkedIn’s head of workplace, argued to the council, saying “We have eight years left of our lease and not a single square foot to grow into in North Bayshore.”
The company has been in constant battle with larger rivals in gaining a larger land area. Its proposed expansion includes new buildings and additional amenities. So although the councilors have been thoroughly impressed with Google’s plans, they were also concerned with the stifled growth that LinkedIn has been experiencing. So it all boils down to which needed it the most. The council also aims to have a more diversified commercial district, which clearly supports it decision
