Google Takes Over Defunct Railway Station As Its Shiny New York Headquarters

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Google has found a new home in New York, turning a piece of the city’s transportation history into its shiny new North American headquarters. Situated at Manhattan’s west side, this revival of a 1930s rail terminal into a state-of-the-art office space is a collaboration between CookFox Architects and Gensler, developed by Oxford Properties, and stands as a modern-day landmark at 550 Washington Street.

Spanning 1.3 million square feet, the 12-story building is the crown jewel in Google’s ambitious ‘Googleplex’ master plan for the area, which altogether covers 1.7 million square feet across three buildings. With Turner Construction at the helm, this development not only revitalizes a historic site but also reconnects the Hudson Square neighborhood to the waterfront, thanks to a strategic cut through the building south of Houston Street.

The design team at CookFox Architects has thoughtfully blended the old with the new, preserving the essence of ye olde St John’s Terminal while introducing modern elements. The complex stretches over two city blocks, featuring a façade that combines metal panels, floor-to-ceiling glass, and brick walls, complemented by green spaces at street level and rooftop terraces that offer breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.

Image via Google

This transformation from a freight terminal to a vibrant office space is part of a larger movement of tech companies breathing new life into urban centers. Google’s redevelopment of St John’s Terminal into its headquarters is a shining example of how historic gems can be repurposed to meet contemporary needs while contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods.

The building’s design pays homage to its history, with the original rail beds now serving as green spaces that welcome visitors and employees alike.

Image via Google

Inside, the focus is on creating a collaborative and flexible work environment, with communal workspaces designed to foster innovation and teamwork. In today’s ever-evolving work landscape, the tech giant maintains that the office remains a cornerstone of its culture. It has thus designed St John’s Terminal around the concept that innovation thrives in small, tight-knit teams.

Image via Google

Image via Google

This new team-first workspace is a living lab for how Googlers work. A shared neighborhood seating model means that instead of personal desks, employees have home bases with a mix of workspaces to suit various needs, fostering social connections and team cohesion.

Recognizing flexibility as the key to productivity and satisfaction, St John’s Terminal offers myriad communal spaces, from work lounges and cafes to terraces and micro-kitchens, providing Googlers with the freedom to choose how and where they work. These areas are equipped with everything needed for a productive day, catering to different work styles and preferences, whether one seeks the buzz of a coffee shop or the tranquility of a library with Hudson views.

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To keep up with the pace of busy NYC, Google has dedicated significant space within St John’s Terminal for collaborative work. Floors are reserved for partner engagement, featuring an events hub and breakout rooms designed for creative problem-solving and shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration. This approach underscores Google’s mission to make information universally accessible and useful, leveraging the power of partnership to drive innovation.

Besides honoring a historical icon, the company notes that adapting the existing structure saves the equivalent of 78,400 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The building boasts 1.5 acres of green space, including gardens and terraces that not only enhance the work environment but also contribute to local biodiversity, with over 40 bird species observed on-site. Solar panels, rainwater retention, and reclaimed wood from the Coney Island boardwalk further solidify the pillars of environmental awareness.

Image via Google

Sean Downey, president of Americas & Global Business at Google, highlights the project’s significance, noting the doubling of Google’s New York workforce since 2018.

“Over 14,000 Googlers now call New York home,” Downey comments. “We’ve not only kept our pledge to double our New York workforce over the decade that followed that announcement, but we’ve done it in half the time. It’s a testament to New York’s vibrancy, diverse talent pool, and world-class institutions that keep us rooted here.”

[via Dezeen, New York YIMBY, images via Google]