Central Saint Giles welcomes Google

Internet giant takes 160,000 sq ft of office space at media hub

Article posted: 19 May 2011

Google has signed up for new office space in the West End of London at the newly developed Central Saint Giles scheme owned by Legal & General Property and Mitsubishi Estate Company.

The internet giant will occupy 160,000 sq ft of accommodation paying around £65 per sq ft for the highly sought after office space, reportedly fighting off competition from three rival bidders, including Facebook and Sony.

Google will take up residence later in the year once the space has been fitted out in the style to which Google employees are accustomed. They will occupy the entire fourth, fifth and ninth floors, together with part of the third and sixth floor in a deal which sees the Renzo Piano-designed building fully let.

The ten-year lease is thought to have a break clause in 2016 to bring it in line with other lease expires at its offices in Victoria.

Commenting on the move, Matt Brittin, managing director of Google said: “This is a fabulous building and we’ll be working hard over the next few months to fit it out in Google style, ready for some of our teams to move later in the year. As well as its size and green credentials, it has the advantage of being even closer to some of our major customers and partners. This is all part of our continued investment in our UK operations, and we’re hiring rapidly across all our teams.”

Simon Wilkes, head of development at Legal & General Property said: “We are delighted to announce that the entire office element of Central Saint Giles is now let. Given the difficult economic circumstances for UK plc, this can only be taken as a tremendous endorsement of our scheme and clear recognition of its attractions as a great place to work.”

Central Saint Giles is advised by Cushman & Wakefield and Jones Lang LaSalle; CB Richard Ellis advises Google.

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Posted by Jo