Google drops $1.9B on Manhattan city block (original) (raw)

Google has purchased the huge Manhattan building where it currently rents space.

As rumored in October, Google (GOOG) has picked up the 111 8th Ave. building according to the Wall St. Journal. The 18-story Chelsea giant is almost 3 million square feet of space and covers an entire city block, between Eighth and Ninth avenues from 15th to 16th streets. It is listed as the third-largest building in Manhattan by square footage.

Behold! The Manhattan GooglePlex

Although the building was built in 1932, it suits Google’s connectivity interests well. It currently houses a Telx ISP facility, which makes it one of the most connected buildings in the world. It also has subterranean parking and subway access via the A, C and E lines.

Google also currently rents space across the street in the Chelsea Market but will likely have some new empty space to fill.

I’ve pinged Google for comment.