Google’s new Seattle building

I had a workshop up in Seattle this week at Google’s new Seattle building just south of Lake Union (on Boren). The building just opened up; the first day with occupants was Monday, and the workshop started on Tuesday. The new building is pretty nice, although our new building in Mountain View is more fun. But the location is pretty sweet.

One somewhat strange thing about the building: there are residential units on the floors above Google’s offices. So the terraces have signs up warning Googlers to be careful about what’s on their laptop screens when they’re working outdoors. It’d be a little weird to be sitting out on a terrace getting work done or having a meeting, while residents are sitting outside on their balconies above you.

Previously when I’ve visited Google’s offices in Seattle I’ve been up at the Fremont offices (which are also nice, with a great location on the Ship Canal), so this was my first visit to the south Lake Union area since we moved away at the start of the millennium. Things have totally changed since then; aside from the Center for Wooden Boats (still there!) I barely recognized anything. Now the area is block after block of new condos and apartments mixed with office buildings. Hopefully future visits will bring me back to the area; I’d like to have a chance to explore it more (and see what the waterfront looks like now with the Viaduct torn down!).