Google’s ‘landscraper’ London HQ

LONDON: A rooftop meadow, a running trail, a 25m swimming pool and massage rooms; this will be Google’s new £1 billion (R16.4bn) London headquarters.

The technology giant hopes to build a “landscraper” longer than The Shard is tall, complete with a games area where staff can play football indoors.

Google is known for its wacky offices, decked out like teenagers’ bedrooms or children’s playgrounds. Now, bosses hope to build a new HQ near King’s Cross station worthy of “lasting 100 years”.

It will form part of a “campus” for 7 000 London staff.

However, the showpiece will not be inside the building, but on its roof. The multi-layered garden will host a café, trees and meadow flowers and will be home to summer strawberries, sage and gooseberries.

Google hopes to start construction next year.

As well as boasting the facilities of a five-star hotel, the 11-storey office is designed to be environmentally friendly.

Solar panels on the roof will help to power the building. There will be space to park 686 bikes, but just four cars.

Joe Borrett, Google’s European property chief, said: “Our offices and facilities play a key part in shaping the Google culture, which is one of the reasons we are known for being among the best places to work.” – Daily Mail