Google, Pyrmont: First look at tech giant’s new Sydney HQ

Google has released plans for its spectacular proposed new HQ complete with indoor botanic garden, a stunning roof terrace and huge park with facilities for lawn bowls, croquet and much more.

Stretching your legs on your lunch break will take on a new meaning for staff at Google with deckchair lounges and space for picnics, yoga, workout sessions and gardening among features of new plans for its Sydney HQ.

The tech giant has released fresh details of the new “Google address in Australia” that will involve adapting two historic navy warehouses in Pyrmont into offices and creating a new park for staff.

The project will expand Google’s presence on the Pyrmont peninsula, which is currently spread across three other sites.

A concept plan of Google’s new staff outdoor area

The main feature will involve restoring two state heritage listed Royal Edward Victualling Yard buildings at 38-42 Pirrama Rd to their original condition, and adding new interior elements including meeting rooms and flexible workplaces that can be “pulled away” easily in the future.

The 114-year-old buildings will be connected by elevated bridges that will allow staff to move between all areas of the site.

The $71.9 million project would also feature a new three-storey building in the former work yard and a new “tech pavilion” fronting on to Darling Island Rd that will host visitors and guest presentations.

A concept plan of the new HQ building

Google said the project would “become the new address of Google Australia”, housing approximately 600 staff, and support the company’s “investment plans for its operations in Australia.”

Cafes, meeting rooms, indoor botanic gardens, micro-kitchens and a landscaped roof terrace are also proposed.

A separate $2.5 million plan had also been released for a new park at 6 Darling Island Rd, directly north of the new HQ building, for exclusive use by Google employees and visitors with security guard “actively patrolling” entrance points.

A public boardwalk is also proposed at the campus.

The park would have a maximum capacity for 650 people, although at most times be used by up to 75 employees, and feature lawns, outdoor dining areas, seating and loose furniture such as umbrellas and deck chairs.

Typical uses, according to plans, including outdoor working, gardening, walking meetings, yoga, light workouts with a trainer, meditation, table tennis, lawn sports, lawn bowls, croquet, quoits, food markets, gift stalls, staff barbecues, team lunches and dinners, and occasionally food trucks and spring picnics.

Musical instruments such as a guitar may also be used periodically.

This is what the inside could look like.

Google said the new HQ building could trigger a new wave of high tech firms setting up shop on the peninsula.

“The proposed development will also increase the profile of Google as an anchor tenant in Pyrmont and Sydney, enhancing the incubation effect for surrounding technology start-ups in the area,” plans stated.

“The proposal will therefore contribute to the realisation of Pyrmont as the forefront of the future of work in the technology industry”.

A concept plan of the new project

Plans show “minor demolition” works are proposed for the naval yard buildings including removing 12 timber windows, six timber doors and associated brickwork.

Google said it was also intending to honour the site’s history by giving naval themed names to several sections of the HQ including the ‘Anchor’ staff cafe.

About 600 staff would work at the site.

The current Google Campus has been based in Pyrmont since 2009 and the Royal Edward Victualling Yard buildings are the first buildings in Australia to be fully owned by the tech giant.

The company is also planning to create a 3m-wide boardwalk that would provide public access along the foreshore, subject to a separate development application.

The proposals for new Google headquarters and park are currently being considered by the City of Sydney Council.