Google has spent $2.1 million to acquire 40 acres of land in Silicon Valley. However, the space will not be used to build more offices for the search engine company.
A spokesperson confirmed that Google will use its new property as a nursery for trees that will specifically be produced for its existing and future campuses, including the planned second headquarters in San Jose, California.
The farmland is located on the eastern side of Gilroy, about 30 miles south of San Jose.
Google's Silicon Valley Tree Nursery
The purchase might seem odd, but there is a huge demand for foliage in Silicon Valley. Big technology companies include green spaces within and around their offices for employees to enjoy.
For example, Apple brought more than 8,000 new trees, some of which were fully grown, for a park within its campus in Cupertino. Facebook also has its own 3.6-acre rooftop garden and a redwood forest in its headquarters in Menlo Park.
Details about Google's Silicon Valley tree nursery is scant, but it looks like the tech company will be needing a lot of foliage for its planned second headquarters alone. According to reports, the San Jose campus will span 60 acres and will include about 15 acres of green spaces.
Google To Construct Second Headquarters In California
In 2017, Google announced plans to build a massive second headquarters. The company has reportedly spent more than $400 million on real estate in San Jose and another $250 million to acquire properties in Mountain View.
In addition to offices, the company proposed the development of housing units and spaces for retail, culture, and education in downtown San Jose. The area is expected to welcome 25,000 employees when it opens.
Google is also set to expand outside of the Bay Area. In February, CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the company will invest $13 billion throughout 2019 to open offices and data centers across the United States, including Ohio, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, South Carolina, and Virginia.
"This growth will allow us to invest in the communities where we operate, while we improve the products and services that help billions of people and businesses globally," he stated in a blog post.
