Google is purchasing the Central Saint Giles development in central London for $1 billion. This acquisition aims to increase the company's UK workforce from 6,400 to 10,000 employees. The new office space will include various amenities to support a hybrid work model, including quiet zones, team pods, outdoor working spaces, and 'campfire' spaces for video calls.
Ronan Harris, vice president of Google UK and Ireland, stated that the majority of Google's UK staff prefer a flexible work arrangement combining office and remote work. The new office is designed to facilitate both in-person collaboration and remote work options.
The investment reflects Google's commitment to providing a modern and flexible workspace for its growing UK team, despite the recent delay in US, European, Middle East, and African office returns due to the Omicron variant.