Google bought a building in Manhattan worth $ 2,1 billion: what will be there

Google announced on September 21 that it plans to buy an office building in New York for $ 2,1 billion. The purchase will be completed despite the fact that most of its employees work remotely. CNBC.

This purchase is the most expensive for any office building in the United States since the start of the pandemic. Google is already leasing the office space and has said it will take the opportunity to purchase the St. John's Terminal building in Manhattan's Hudson Square. CFO Ruth Porat said the building would "serve as an anchor" for the company's new campus in the area.

The deal is a positive sign for New York as it emerges from the pandemic. Although major employers, including Google, have postponed dates for returning to their offices. The company told employees that they did not need to return to the office until January 2022.

Google, like other tech companies, thrived during the pandemic. The company has generated significant income that can now be used for real estate investments and other initiatives. Consumers relied even more on Internet services during quarantine, including for study, work and play.

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These plans increase Google's already large presence in Manhattan. The company previously announced that it will invest $ 250 million in New York this year. And in the next few years it will increase the number of employees in the city from 12 to 000 people.

Google plans to open the St. John's Terminal at 550 Washington Street by mid-2023. According to CFO Ruth Porat, it will become Google's largest office outside of California. The approximately 157 square meter campus will house Google's sales and partnerships. As a reminder, the company opened the first offline store on campus in Chelsea.

Google expects the purchase to close in the first quarter of 2022.