Google's Creative Makeover of St. John’s Terminal in Manhattan

Google opens New York headquarters built on renovated 1930s train terminal

Google recently inaugurated its state-of-the-art headquarters in New York City, at Hudson Square’s St. John’s Terminal. The project, which cost $2.1 billion and took five years to complete, was designed by COOKFOX Architects and Gensler. The former rail terminus has been transformed into a contemporary office space, spanning two blocks and covering 1.3 million square feet. The building has also been expanded with nine new stories. This advanced facility can accommodate approximately 3,000 Google employees. Google has emphasized that the design is customized to their research-driven office strategy, promoting a new workplace model that encourages collaboration, creativity, and growth.

After restoring the original three floors of a building at its peak usage in the 1930s, Design team created an inviting environment with an exterior cut facade. The northern side of the building displays reused rail beds that were once a part of the building’s history, now semi-exposed and providing a tangible connection between the past and present.

COOKFOX prioritizes occupant health and well-being with plant-filled terraces and garage doors on three floors that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces, fostering direct engagement with nature and embracing seasonal changes. The studio announced that the building boasts more than 500 bike parking spaces and is designed to collect and store up to 92,000 gallons of rainwater annually.

The project achieved LEED v4 Platinum Certification for its core and shell by combining various strategies. Gensler’s interior design comprises 60 small ‘neighborhoods’ customized to accommodate teams of 20 to 50 Google employees. The work areas are surrounded by terraces, which include small pavilions for work and relaxation. In addition, the building features 1.5 acres of street-level vegetation designed in collaboration with Future Green Studio, which adds to its natural beauty.

Amanda Carroll, the Managing Director and Principal, mentioned that Gensler’s architecture, interiors, strategy, brand, and climate action teams have all contributed to the St. John’s Terminal project, making it collaborative. Together, they have designed a flexible workplace ecosystem that caters to the needs of every Google team. It features a versatile blend of workspaces, amenities, meeting spots, green areas, and relaxation zones, all carefully tailored to deliver a distinctive Google experience that will continue to evolve and improve over time.