Google coming to Ann Arbor

[GRDadof3]

More information about Google's new offices above Vinology

Sounds like a nice shot in the arm for that area of downtown.

[wolverine]

That's good news, it seems like google is going for a downtown office.

Yeah, I'm just still worried about the parking downtown though that would support all of those employees. We are losing parking spaces by the hundreds every few years it seems like, and it's not like we are building more park and rides to bus people downtown. I heard a proposal though to add more levels to one of the ramps downtown. BTW, the ramp that was on 1st.... I love how they semi demolished it, and left some walls standing, and then just filled in the lower level with surface parking. It's sort of like the ruins of today. No longer buildings but parking structures. I should take pictures before they make any future modifications to it. I'm guess this half block parcel is up for sale maybe? It would sure make a nice spot for an new office building or residential highrise.

[MJLO]

I'm still waiting for the news when Ann Arbor will actually have a new high or mid rise. Sounds like the leadership is ready for an already dense cbd to get a little more dense.

[GR8scott]

that would be great to see them build a mid or even highrise DT, I would think google would build something that stands out and very modern looking, that would be good for AA, Is there a time frame of when they want to build or move in?

[MJLO]

Well I'd imagine soon. They have already moved into temporary offices in downtown. They are working feverishly on a permanant presence. I highly highly doubt the company would build any kind of office building though. Google is known for it's anti-stuff shirt mentality in it's facilities. Which are generally unconventional. I would imagine there AA presence won't be any different. I just hope they don't hop out to the suburbs.

[wolverine]

I doubt what google builds would enhance the skyline. Keep in mind it takes a building over 15 floors to even be visible on that portion of the skyline due to our hilly geography. It's kind of sad though that it takes so much to improve our ugly skyline.

[egrguy]

Space near new Google office in Ann Arbor in demand, realtors say.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/in...st=newsmichigan

Looks like Google will have a nice ripple effect with their having employees downtown. It states they have a 4yr committment to their current building. I hope that their final plans include plans for DT AA.

[wolverine]

Nice to see them moving into the McKinley Center soon. I really like how well the renovations improved that place.

[ZachariahDaMan]

McKinley Inc., the Ann Arbor real estate company that landed the deal to provide downtown office space for Google's advertising employees, cemented in place what may be another piece of a larger puzzle with the news Friday that it acquired Tally Hall and an adjacent vacant bank.

http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf....xml&coll=2

I'm having trouble placing the Tally Hall and vacant bank. Maybe you have a picture Ian?

[wolverine]

If I get time today, I'll get some pictures.

FYI, Tally hall is not a building, but a parking structure

[stellar]

If I get time today, I'll get some pictures.

FYI, Tally hall is not a building, but a parking structure

[wolverine]

Very interesting, I never knew it went underground I've seen the large glass entrances, but they have been covered up with paper for as long as I can remember.

I was in a hurry this morning, so I couldn't get a picture of the whole thing. But I'm sure many of you have seen it and get the gist. It's the tall red brick structure behind the Michigan Theater Retail building.

EDIT, btw Stellar, when did Jacobsons move out of the existing Borders building? I was just thinking about it when I walked past the old entrance beneath the parking structure. Also, does anybody know any other cities besides Saginaw that have the exact same design as Jacobsons (now Borders) did, where the store is partially beneath a parking structure that goes over the road?

[stellar]

EDIT, btw Stellar, when did Jacobsons move out of the existing Borders building? I was just thinking about it when I walked past the old entrance beneath the parking structure. Also, does anybody know any other cities besides Saginaw that have the exact same design as Jacobsons (now Borders) did, where the store is partially beneath a parking structure that goes over the road?

[GR8-town]

It's the second densest of the major cities, which is, I'm sure, what you meant. Regardless of whether they set up in the city or the suburbs (more likely), this is a great day.

[wolverine]

Where's Hammtramck?? LOL.

[PaintBy123s]

Anyone catch the debate on free parking for Google over at ArborUpdate? One of the hottest companies is locating its money-making division in Ann Arbor... yet some people still find something to gripe about...

[wolverine]

I don't see why we can't build another parking structure on that ruin over on 1st. My friend calls it the Baghdad block.

[mendelman]

I'm just guessing here but I think Jacobson's moved out about 1997. That seems like about the time that Borders combined offices into Tally Hall. The Borders store would have opened in 1998 or about then. It's starting to become such ancient history to me now.

[stellar]

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure Border's was there long before 1997.

[wolverine]

My boss had said Jacobsons moved out sometime in the 90's, border was then on State. I'm sure some older photographs would allow us to find the exact date.