First Amazon, Now Google? Tech Companies Reportedly Looking To Expand In NYC
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Amazon may not be the only corporate giant considering expanding in our area.
Watch out Silicon Valley -- Google may quietly be searching for property in the Big Apple.
Tech expansion in New York? Google it. You'll find the tech leader making headlines.
"I love Google. I love expansion. I love business," Chelsea resident Josh Marc Vincent told CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis on Thursday.
Then you'll love this.
Google is reportedly expanding its real estate portfolio in the city.
Chopper 2 was over St. John's Terminal in the West Village, property Google has eyes on, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"Anything that brings work to the people, that's fantastic," said Martin Redi of Bushwick, Brooklyn.
CBS2's DeAngelis took a stroll outside Google's headquarters on Eighth Avenue on Thursday. Since the company's first days in New York it has grown to nearly 7,000 employees. This potential expansion could nearly double its workforce in the city, with room for more employees at other locations.
Earlier this year, Google purchased Chelsea Market and announced that it was taking additional office space at Pier 57. As part of the redevelopment there, it is funding the construction of a water taxi landing that will be open to the public.
This comes at a time Amazon is considering New York for its second headquarters, which reportedly would be split in two locations. If the company decides to set up shop in Long Island City it could bring 25,000 jobs.
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"Obviously have a ripple effect on the economy, and I hope have a positive impact on putting some investment into infrastructure, things like subways, tunnels, and roads and so on," Chelsea resident Heather Myers said.
Dan Geiger, senior real estate reporter for Crain's New York, said potential growth from Google and Amazon shows how much the city is working for the companies that already have a presence here.
"Now I think you can take these tech companies and put them alongside the major industries, like finance and law and other services that have for years been associated with being the economic drivers of New York City," Geiger said.
Step aside Silicon Valley, New York may be changing its nickname from "Silicon Alley."
"You just see this remarkable growth and you have to say, well, at some point we're not gonna just be an alley anymore, right? We're not just gonna be the little brother. We're gonna be standing on our own footing here because there's such a presence," Geiger said.
Julie Samuels, the executive Director of Tech:NYC, gushed about the idea of the Big Apple becoming a hub in this ever-growing industry.
"Reports of Google's planned expansion in New York and Amazon potentially choosing Queens as a location for HQ2 confirm what many of us already knew to be true: that New York City is unmatched in its ability to help innovative companies succeed," Samuels said. "Our diverse workforce spurs innovation, and New York's position as the global center for a broad range of industries creates an environment that boosts creative companies. Our local leaders have been instrumental in positioning New York as a premier tech hub through commitments to computer science education and many other initiatives, and the result is announcements like these."
Amid the excitement, the wait is on for both tech giants to announce their final plans to expand.
Google declined to comment on expansion at St. John's Terminal.