Economy & Economic Development  August 4, 2015

Hickenlooper: Google’s Boulder campus ‘a natural match made in heaven’

BOULDER — Gov. John Hickenlooper and Congressman Jared Polis joined city and Google officials Tuesday to break ground on Google’s new campus in Boulder.

The campus is being built on a 4.3-acre site near the southwest corner of 30th and Pearl streets. It will consist of three, approximately 100,000-square-feet buildings.  The first two buildings are expected to open in early 2017.

Google currently has 350 employees in four buildings in Boulder, said Scott Green, director of the Boulder campus. He said phase one will have space for 1,000 people, and Phase 2 will add space for 500 additional employees, but hires will be made gradually as dictated by the company’s needs.

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“Our identity is tied to Boulder. We are excited to remain in Boulder. And we are eager to continue making our community better,” Green said during the ceremony.

The rendering shows Phase 1 of Google’s Boulder campus as it will look from the northeast. (Courtesy Tryba Architects)

Hickenlooper called Google’s decision to remain in Boulder as it grows, “a natural match made in heaven.”

“If you’re searching — or Googling — for proof that Colorado is a national leader for innovation and technology and continues to be a draw for business, look no further than Boulder — and Google’s decision to expand here,” Hickenlooper said.” He pointed out that the company helped provide more than $2 billion in economic activity to Colorado businesses last year.

Polis said Google’s decision to expand in Colorado, and Boulder in particular, “reinforces our state and city’s reputation as a place where innovation and creativity thrive.”

Denver-based Forum Real Estate Group is the site developer, and it will lease the buildings to Google. Darren Fisk, founder and chief executive of Forum Real Estate Group, said the campus was designed to fit naturally into the fabric of the Boulder community. It is located adjacent to the Boulder Transit Village, with connectivity to the multi-use path and trail system. It will have public open and green spaces; and, thoughtful architecture and materials to complement neighboring buildings. Fisk said the campus will achieve a minimum of LEED-Gold rating, and solar panels on the roof will contribute 140 kilowatts towards powering the campus, while high ceilings, exposed structure and large windows will maximize access to daylight and views.

Dignitaries break ground during a ceremony Aug. 4 at the site of the future Google campus in Boulder. From left, John Tayer, Boulder Chamber; Collin Kemberlin, Tryba Architects; Liz Hansen, city of Boulder; Matt Appelbaum, mayor of Boulder; Jared Polis, U.S. Congressman; Scott Green, Google’s site director in Boulder; Gov. John Hickenlooper; Fran Ryan, Impact on Education; and Darren Fisk, Forum Real Estate Group. (Doug Storum/BizWest)

BOULDER — Gov. John Hickenlooper and Congressman Jared Polis joined city and Google officials Tuesday to break ground on Google’s new campus in Boulder.

The campus is being built on a 4.3-acre site near the southwest corner of 30th and Pearl streets. It will consist of three, approximately 100,000-square-feet buildings.  The first two buildings are expected to open in early 2017.

Google currently has 350 employees in four buildings in Boulder, said Scott Green, director of the Boulder campus. He said phase one will have space for 1,000 people, and Phase 2 will add space for 500 additional employees, but hires will be…

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