Google had proposed a series of tent-shaped modular complexes that would have added 2.5 million square feet onto its existing four million square foot campus, with space to increase the number of employees from 20,000 to 30,000.
The vote not only reflected the David vs. Goliath victory for LinkedIn–Google is the largest employer, largest taxpayer and owns three Empire State buildings worth of real estate in Mountain View—but would also “preserve business diversity,” meaning, decrease the city’s dependence on Google. In addition, LinkedIn also partnered with an affordable housing developer for new housing projects nearby, although Google will likely have a hand in that since it owns a majority of the land in North Bayshore.
Google may also tear down some of its existing buildings and develop a plan with a smaller footprint. David Radcliffe, Google’s vice president of real estate said the company will continue to work with the city on future plans in the city, according to nytimes. ##
(Image credit: LinkedIn, Google)
