Google reveals the plans for its new London headquarters

Google has revealed that its new UK headquarters is a building taller than the Shard skyscraper. The so-called ground-scraper at the King’s Cross Central development is the latest overseas property deal by the cash-rich U.S. internet group, which will house its entire London staff under one roof when completed in 2016.

Google revealed designs for the low-rise one million square feet scheme on Friday after announcing its move to King’s Cross in January. At 330 metres tall, it exceeds the height of the 310-metre tall Shard, Western Europe’s tallest skyscraper. Swiss bank UBS is undertaking a similar large-scale low-rise scheme at the Broadgate complex in London’s main financial district.

Google said 35,000 people will work at the site - a large scale operation it would have found difficult to house in space-constrained central London where land is also more expensive. Google has spent about 650 million pounds to buy and develop the 2.4 acre site and the finished development will be worth up to one billion pounds, sources told Reuters.

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Construction will start early next year subject to planning approval and it will be one of the internet giant’s largest offices outside its so-called Googleplex corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California. The internet giant is a prized tenant for landlords and its presence is expected to draw other technology companies to King’s Cross - especially small start-ups - and help bump up rents.

The new head quarters would make it the tallest in UK

The new site is likely to include a 20,000 square feet area for bike parking, about the size of seven tennis courts, and features a climbing wall between floors, a source close to the project told Reuters. The company’s offices are famous for perks like gourmet food, bowling alleys, roof gardens, high-tech gyms and on-site medical staff and massages.

King’s Cross Central, which sits on a former fish, coal and grain goods yard to the north of the city, spans 67 acres and will contain homes, offices and shops. It is being built by the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership which includes developer Argent Group.

Google has traditionally leased its overseas offices but in the past two years has purchased premises in Paris, Dublin, and now London, its filings show.

Reuters