Google completes search for London HQ site

US based technology giant Google has completed the long expected £1bn property deal for a brownfield site in the King’s Cross Regeneration Area in London. The 2.4 acre site is located between King’s Cross and St Pancras rail stations and will be used for the development of an up to 11 storey complex which is due to be complete during 2016. Google will rationalise its two existing London locations into the new office and workplace design aficionados will be expecting great things from a firm that is renowned for its original approach, most recently at its Covent Garden offices designed by Penson.

The new building has been designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris,  ranges in height from 7 to 11 storeys and will form part of a mixed use development that includes, shops, bars and restaurants. Construction will start later this year with staff expected to relocate to the new HQ in 2016.

The site has been one of the largest development sites in London for the past decade. The Eurostar terminus opened at St Pancras in 2007 and the area has attracted employers as diverse as Guardian Media Group, Network Rail and Central St Martin’s College.

Matt Brittin, Google vice president for northern and central Europe said: “This is a big investment by Google, we’re committing further to the UK – where computing and the web were invented. It’s good news for Google, for London and for the UK.”