Google completes outdoor deck construction at downtown Ann Arbor office
Google workers streamed onto the new 4,800-square-foot outdoor deck today at the company's downtown Ann Arbor office. It has Google-logo-colored patio umbrellas, a the search engine company's logo on the floor, bushes and grass.
Steve Pepple | AnnArbor.com
Google and Ann Arbor-based real estate firm McKinley Inc. collaborated to install solar panels on the building's roof and build the 4,800-square-foot outdoor deck as an extension of the 240,000-square-foot office building.
The deck, which can only be accessed by Google employees, is part "green," so to speak.
It has patches of grass and bushes in addition to patio umbrellas colored in the famous Google red, blue, green and yellow. The deck floor is also emblazoned with a giant Google logo, much like the one on the search engine giant's home page. Workers streamed onto the deck earlier today to check out the scenery.
The deck's installation comes as Google is increasingly battling with its competitors in the technology industry to land talented employees. The company last year gave all of its workers 10 percent pay increases and is investing in clean energy technology at several offices to make its workplace more enticing to job candidates.
Google employs more than 250 workers at its Ann Arbor sales office and has said it plans to add personnel to the operation this year.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
AA
Sat, May 28, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
I wonder how many local (Ann Arbor) based contractors worked on this project. I doubt very many.
Salinemary
Sat, May 28, 2011 : 10:08 a.m.
Another example of how well Google treats its employees. Good job!
a2phiggy
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
I'll watch for flying umbrellas the next time it's windy in Ann Arbor...meaning TONIGHT! It's beautiful, but all I can think about is where those umbrellas will end up.
treetowncartel
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
Work is work and a deck is a deck. I'd rather be working from my deck than at my work on a deck.
Barb
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
Ah, more reason to be jealous of the Google employees. Well done!
Atticus F.
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
This was built so Google employees could 'look down' on the rest of Ann Arbor.
sun runner
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 10:34 p.m.
"What, the curtains?"
John B.
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.
"Someday, son (or daughter), this could all be yours."
Linda Peck
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
Looks great, what a vantage point!
Kevin Moy
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
I have to know... Did they have any plans to transport drinks directly from Bar Louie up to that rooftop? I wouldn't expect the employees would want to leave work at all at that point.
John B.
Fri, May 27, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
That's the trend at these types of businesses - employees that (almost) never leave. It's a pretty smart business decision, in some ways. You should see what the amenities are at Google's HQ in CA...!