Google’s new £1 billion headquarters in London nearly completed. Covering over a million square feet, this state of the art facility has been five years in the making. It was designed by famous British architect Thomas Heatherwick and is as ultra-modern as it looks. It will be the new long-term home for the Silicon Valley tech giant and has capacity for 7,000 employees. The lovely building lies within the Holborn and St Pancras constituency. It features an exquisite 300-metre-long living green roof that runs from the seventh to the eleventh floors.
The new headquarters, officially called The River District, has been in development since 2018. Given this year’s expected completion, the project would represent a major milestone for Google’s ongoing expansion in the UK. So it’s no surprise that the project has been turning heads everywhere with its innovative design and sustainable features. It takes 40,000 tonnes of soil just to support those 250 trees! Many trees provide shade, while a one-mile long running track circles this green oasis, enhancing health and boosting productivity for future employees.
The construction site has even more clearly drawn the unanticipated interest of other visitors. Gray foxes have made their home alongside Google’s new campus. Visitors have spotted them throughout the installation area. These foxes are believed to thrive on the local rodent population, with one observer noting, “Foxes thrive quite well on rodents – we don’t live more than three metres away from the nearest rat,” according to Mosh Latifi.
They can be seen burrowing underground, a rare sight among Vulpes species. They’ve been spotted floating between the various levels of the structure. One witness remarked, “We’ve seen her all around the building – one second she’s on the fifth floor, the next she’s on the garden floor. Until now, no one has been able to touch her.
The foxes’ appearances quickly made news, capturing the imaginations of local residents and short-term workers in the area. As London pest control experts note, “London is a big playground for foxes – they will go absolutely anywhere.” Though this unusual sighting was a cause for concern, Google did admit it had little effect on construction operations. In response, a company spokesperson commented that sightings of foxes on construction sites are rare. They continued by saying the same is true for our King’s Cross development. Archaeologically, the site has been visited by foxes. Their visits have been quick in and out, with minimal impact on the construction in progress.
A 2022 topping-off ceremony marked a major milestone in the ongoing construction process. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who joined new Labour leader Keir Starmer at the ceremony, underscored the project’s importance to the local community and economy. Khan stated, “This project represents a real vote of confidence in London, in our communities and in our flourishing tech sector.”
As Google prepares to open its new headquarters later this year, it stands as a testament to innovation and modern architecture amid unexpected challenges. Urban design is starting to incorporate elements of nature into the built environment, including rooftop gardens. This trend intends to develop work environments that increase employee productivity while enhancing their health and happiness.