Google has acquired so many startups recently that it’s begun looking around for more work space to house some of the new employees that relocate to the San Francisco area, close to its Mountain View base.
According to a recent FT report, the Web giant is looking to take over premises in the city’s hip Mission district to house up to 200 engineers from recently acquired startups.
The report’s source says many of those locating to the new building, a former printworks, are reluctant to work in its huge Silicon Valley headquarters nearly 40 miles away, though whether this is because of the corporate atmosphere, the long commute, or the prospect of disruptive protests by local residents fed up with tech companies’ increasing presence in the city is anyone’s guess.
The 35,000-square-foot building is reportedly zoned for manufacturing, so there’s a good chance it’ll be used for developing new hardware products – Google’s recent acquisitions have included a slew of robotics companies, as well as startups like Nest, which makes smart devices for the home.
As the FT points out, with competition increasing between global tech giants to hire top talent, offering an attractive workplace and living location can be key to snagging the best workers.
While social networking giant Facebook is also rumored to be looking for space in the city, startups such as Twitter and Pinterest are already firmly embedded. The growing interest from tech firms to move into buildings across the city has had some locals up in arms, with claims that their increasing presence is forcing up commercial rents and house prices, and affecting living standards for long-time residents.
With Google looking to open the Mission building to new workers, and other tech companies making plans to move into the area, the ongoing issues between the tech community and disgruntled locals look set to rumble on.
[Image: Google]
