Google’s Record-Breaking London Acquisition as a Catalyst for Confidence

If you are searching for signs of confidence in a return to the office, you need look no further than Google.  The search engine company has committed £730 million pounds to purchase its Central Saint Giles office building close to Tottenham Court Road where it has rented space since 2012.

The move by a business regarded globally as being at the forefront of modern working methods and staff wellbeing illustrates their commitment to the office environment as being integral to their business.

Along with the acquisition, Google is also investing in a large new headquarters at King’s Cross which will raise the capacity to 10,000 workers in London.

Creeping vacancy rates during the pandemic have seen millions of square feet of office space shuttered up or converted thanks to recent changes to planning legislation.  Many businesses have also moved towards a full-time work-from-home system.

The tech giant has publicly revised its internal policies several times over the course of the last 18 months, most recently telling employees it was aiming for a ‘three days a week’ office model. 

Refurbishment plans at Saint Giles include outdoor covered workspaces, meeting rooms for hybrid working, and cutting-edge mechanical and electrical upgrades including a wellness-orientated overhead art installation that provides “a window to the passing clouds”.

At CS2 we believe it is clear that the office is not dead. Whilst businesses across the UK will need to improve their offering to encourage staff back to the workplace, the importance of the office as a place for in-person training, collaboration and connection is undeniable.

If you require assistance in planning your office re-design, refurbishment, relocation or acquisition, our team of expert cost consultants and project managers are here to provide assistance and coordination both in London and across the UK. Find your local contact, here.