Google has taken a significant step in its India expansion strategy by securing a substantial amount of office space in Bengaluru. This move is part of a broader plan to strengthen its presence in key Indian cities.
According to a report by the Economic Times, Google has leased 649,000 square feet of office space in Alembic City, Whitefield, Bengaluru. The lease agreement includes a three-year lock-in period, with a monthly rental rate of Rs 62 per square foot. This translates to a significant monthly rent of over Rs 4 crore (Rs 4,02,38,000).
Strategic Relocation of Positions
This new office space acquisition follows recent organizational changes within Google. Earlier this month, the company let go of some core employees from its US offices and subsequently shifted certain positions to India. This strategic move aligns with Google’s efforts to leverage India’s growing talent pool.
Expansion of Office Space in India
In addition to the new Bengaluru office, Google has been actively expanding its office space footprint across India. In 2022, Google Connect Services India Pvt. Ltd. renewed its lease for 600,000 square feet of office space in Hyderabad. Moreover, Google agreed to lease 1.3 million square feet of office space from Bagmane Developers in Bengaluru. Since 2020, Google’s total office space in India has grown by 3.5 million square feet. The company now operates in five cities across India, with a total real estate footprint of 9.3 million square feet.
Venturing into Manufacturing
Google’s expansion in India is not limited to office space. The company is also venturing into manufacturing. Google plans to manufacture smartphones at a Foxconn facility in Tamil Nadu and initiate drone manufacturing in the state. The production of Pixel smartphones in India is expected to begin with the Pixel 8 model.
Commitment to ‘Make in India’
Google had initially announced its plans to start manufacturing Pixel phones in India during the Google for India conference last year. This move underscores the company’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming to boost local production and support the Indian economy.
Google’s strategic expansion in India, encompassing new office space and manufacturing plans, highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the country. These developments are expected to contribute significantly to India’s technology landscape and economic growth.
