My OCD says thank you.

It's incredible how this immediately became the iconic building in Austin.

So is this where they’ll house that sentinent AI that’s going to take over the world?

Or does it prefer California weather?

Wonder when all those plants will be installed? :D

Sail Reflecting Fireworks on the 4th
 

Hey I was at that spot too. :)

https://imgur.com/gallery/Ci9mvK5

I love how skyscraper nerds are like, "oh, fireworks, that's cool. I'll watch them in the reflection on this building."

The new lighting looks fantastic. We have quite the night view from the west looking east now.

Dude, right??? LOL :haha::haha::haha:

Seems like this one should be complete. Can anyone confirm?

Structure is complete but it will take years to fully build out the Google office inside. There is also relatively little pressure to do so as Google's existing office space in Austin is sufficient for the headcount at the moment. They will open it in phases of a few floors at a time.

It's looking sweet


• Video Link

I heard an interesting rumor last night at a broker event. Google approached the developer/owners and asked them what it would take to get Google out of this lease because they won't need the space now. If I remember correctly, the lease is for either 10 or 12 years. Developer said sorry, if you want out you'll have to pay it off in full.

I don't have intel on this but it is plausible. We know Google (and every other big tech company at the moment) is looking to cut costs, they have a lot of office space in Austin at 500W 2nd and 900 E 5th, and they had a good number of their Austin staff reclassify as remote. Also, relocation to Austin has slowed after the substantial rise in housing prices. There seems to be more focus on Atlanta as the new place to go for cheap housing.

It's totally plausible. And if true, the rumor also points out that Google believes its workforce will remain in its current hybrid state through the life of the lease, which is 10-12 years. That's a major tip of the hat to WFH realism.

And also some serious canary in the coalmine stuff for our larger office towers.

Man, that sucks for their facilities person, to have goofed like that. Seems like a pretty big mistake.

The overall cost of living difference is actually pretty negligible. I don't know that it is a "focus," but, rather, an alternative.

Google isn't the only company that's attempted this recently. Watch the space....

This only shows that Austin is not immune to the global downturn and I wouldn't be suprised if we see some of these upcoming tower proposals to be put on hold. The ones under construction and or about to start before the end of this year may be okay but I'd say we are probably done for a time when it comes to new towers.