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At first I thought it looked like an incredibly dumpy building for $1.9 billion. Then I read that it's actually the entire city block that they're buying. Am I
by hugh3 16y ago
At first I thought it looked like an incredibly dumpy building for $1.9 billion. Then I read that it's actually the entire city block that they're buying.
Am I correct in thinking that New York City planning regulations would make it damn near impossible to tear down that dumpy-looking building and build a shiny new one?
- rdl 16y agoThere is absolutely way they would disrupt operations at one of the top five carrier hotels in the world because you think it looks dumpy.
- icegreentea 16y agoRegulations aside, you would be mad to tear this thing down. Relocating all the DCs (and I'm guessing exchanges) in there would be ridiculous. And... 'dumpy' isn't exactly the right word for this building. Another article (from the same site! with the same paragraphs!) shows how f'ing huge this building is. http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/09/14/111-8th-avenue-carrier-hotel-is-for-sale/ http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2010/09/14/111-8... Go to the bottom.
- kessler 16y agoThat dumpy looking building to you is actually pretty nice looking on the outside and inside in person. It's also the third largest building by square footage in Manhattan, the main carrier hotel in the city for providers like Realty Trust, Equinix, Telx and home to a ton of high profile companies like Nike, Deutsch, Armani, Spotify among others.
- look_lookatme 16y agoDumpy compared to what? I think it's a fine example of classic New York Art Deco.
- SkyMarshal 16y agoKids these days. Not made of souless cinderblocks and drywall = dumpy to them.
- patrickgzill 16y agoThey would NEVER tear it down. Its value is in its close proximity to so many other networks. I would guess single digit milleseconds to Wall Street (certain trading firms care), along with interconnections to many mobile operators networks, VOIP providers, etc. They will want the current tenants to stay, so that Google will have top-shelf speed to all their customers' networks at a low cost.
- hga 16y agoThey also get to collect the rent from these firms instead of paying rent for their current and future space to the old landlord, which will make the financial part better that "Google pays 1.9 billion for dumpy building!" sounds.
- rudd 16y agoI won't agree that it looks dumpy, but it certainly doesn't look modern, or in any way similar to the Googleplex. Of course, that's nearly everything in New York. Many think that's a plus...
- ahilss 16y agoRegardless of whether the building looks dumpy, the view of Midtown is magnificent: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iU0pdqJt5xOtzMhGIbrfbg?feat=embedwebsite http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iU0pdqJt5xOtzMhGIbrfbg?...
- angstrom 16y agoNo, it would be like tearing down the Empire State Building to build a new one. By volume this building is currently the second largest Manhattan building after the ESB. It also sits directly on top of a Fiber hub and excellent subway access directly from within the building to the ACE & L subway lines.
- wdewind 16y agoIt's actually even bigger than ESB, but I don't think it's the largest in Manhattan "But at 2.9 million square feet, it has more space than the Empire State Building and plenty of room for Google to grow."
- epc 16y agoI believe the largest amount of usable office space in Manhattan is at 55 Water St.
- forgotAgain 16y agoAm I correct in thinking that New York City planning regulations would make it damn near impossible to tear down that dumpy-looking building and build a shiny new one? No, that would be common sense talking. The politicians would love for them to blow a couple of billion on construction crews in a down economy. They'd do some very personal favors for Serge and Larry to have that happen.
- krschultz 16y agoDumpy? I guess you've never been there. A lot of people prefer working in building where the architecture is not 1997 beige suburban office park.
- lindsayrgwatt 16y agoI worked in the building for two and a half years and it may appear "dumpy" on the outside but it's an awesome place to work. Walking into work via a half a block long corridor with cable strung over your head and the clack of your feet echoing along it is a great way to start the day