When Google spent $1.6 billion securing prime land near King’s Cross station, it immediately set out plans for a new London HQ. They included a rooftop running track, swimming pool and interior cycling ramps, but it didn’t take long for the project to be canned, with Google saying it wanted to "challenge ourselves to do something even better."
Fast forward three years and Google CEO Sundar Pichai is town to recommit to its London campus, unveiling new ideas for its first "wholly designed" building outside of the US in the process.
The purpose-built ten story building was designed by Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). It’ll span 650,000 square feet, making up more than half of the company’s complete King Cross campus. The artist render above gives an impression of what Google has planned, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in lots of natural light and space for multi-level meeting rooms. Google currently occupies one 380,000 sq. ft. development at 6 Pancras Square and will move into a second leased building, currently under construction, in 2018.
"Here in the UK, it’s clear to me that computer science has a great future with the talent, educational institutions, and passion for innovation we see all around us," says Pichai. "We are committed to the UK and excited to continue our investment in our new King’s Cross campus."