Google and Netflix slated as Jam Factory’s new tenants after $500 million rebuild of Chapel St site
GOOGLE could soon be calling Chapel Street home, with the tech giant tipped to move from Sydney to be the revitalised Jam Factory’s main tenant — and it’s not the only big name slated for the site.
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GOOGLE and Netflix could soon be calling South Yarra home, with both tipped to be the revitalised Jam Factory site’s first tenants.
Leader News understands the international tech giants are being wooed by site owners Newmark Capital to occupy the 100,000sq m, 5000 person capacity office space.
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It also understood the Victorian Government is in negotiations with Google to see the tech juggernaut set up in Melbourne.
Trade and Investment Minister Philip Dalidakis said the government will support any plans for Google to grow in the state.
“Google and the Victorian government enjoy a warm and positive relationship and we look forward to supporting their growth in to Victoria anyway we can,” he said.
“And it goes without saying, if NSW doesn’t want them, we certainly do.”
Construction on the Jam Factory redevelopment is expected to begin within a year.
Google has 1500 employees working out of the GPT Group owned Workplace 6 in Prymont, Sydney but that lease is due to end in 2021.
It recently took over Fairfax Media’s lease of the Mirvac owned 1 Darling Place, also in Pyrmont, and leases a small amount of space in Wharf 7, near the Maritime Museum.
Google had been negotiating with the NSW Government to move its operation to the proposed White Bay Power Station Development, a 10 hectare “tech precinct”, but those talks fell through last month.
“We’ve come to realise that achieving that vision isn’t possible within our time frame,” a spokesman for Google said.
“So we’ve mutually agreed with UrbanGrowth NSW to discontinue negotiations over the site.”
It’s understood the company wants to consolidate and increase its Australian workforce and put them into a “campus” style workplace similar to its US headquarters, Googleplex, in the heart of Silicon Valley, California.
The Google spokesman would not confirm or deny the possible Melbourne move.
“Unfortunately we’re not commenting on speculation about Google’s future Australian headquarters,” the spokesman said.
Stonnington North Ward councillor Matthew Koce told last month’s council meeting he felt the revitalised Jam Factory would be an ideal location for both companies.
“This development will attract Google, it will attract Netflix,” he said.
The $500 million Jam Factory overhaul will see the landmark retail space transformed into a five building contemporary business precinct.
Twenty-five per cent of the precinct will be open space.
Work on the site is expected to start within a year.
Netflix, which has yet to open an Australian headquarters, was contacted for comment.
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