The Eastside has proven to be a desirable hub for big tech companies, including Microsoft, Google and Amazon. After a long hiatus of at-home work driven by the pandemic, it seems that these employers are trying to bring the idea of the office back into vogue.
In particular, tech companies drove 40% of new commercial leases on the Eastside in the first quarter of 2022, totaling 41,802 square feet of office space. The average price per square foot of Eastside office space was $49.08 — ranging from $37.74 in Bothell to $65.01 in Bellevue’s Central Business District. In fact, the Central Business District is the center for most of the new developments coming online, with more than 3.8 million square feet under construction, 86% of which is leased to tenants like Amazon and Bungie.
In Kirkland, Google has been doubling down on its commitment to its new office development. The company recently announced that it plans to invest another $100 million into the region, and it seems to be holding up its end of the bargain, with phase one of its Kirkland Urban campus having already taken shape.
The sprawling new campus will eventually include four buildings, totaling 760,000 square feet of space. Currently, two eight-story office buildings have been competed — called North and Central — with the rest projected to be completed by 2025.
After two years of the comforts of working from home, Google employees may be enticed back to the office by Kirkland Urban’s mix of shopping, dining and entertainment that includes a QFC, Shake Shack, Dough Zone and Lounge by Topgolf.
But the amenities continue inside the offices, where the Central building includes a doggie day care complete with an outdoor deck for four-legged Googlers to enjoy. Their two-legged counterparts will enjoy the themed floors in the Central building, which are each inspired by one of Washington State’s major industries. A food counter on the tourism floor is complete with backpacks hanging from the walls.
Other amenities to entice workers back to the office include a music studio, pool tables, a mini movie theater, nap and focus rooms, and food and coffee counters with fruit, cereal and other items on each floor.
Google says this is all part of their efforts to appeal to the next generation of workers. With flexible work arrangements and competitive salaries the norm for highly sought-after skilled tech workers, Google is redoubling its efforts to ensure that it remains a place where people want to work.
Information for the article was found on 425Business here and here, and GeekWire.
