Googleplex Facts for Kids

This page is about the headquarters of Google. For the large number, see Googolplex.

Quick facts for kids
Googleplex
Aerial view of the main Google Campus in Mountain View, CA
Built	July 2004; 20 years ago (2004-07)
Location	Mountain View, California, United States
Coordinates	37°25′19″N 122°05′02″W / 37.422°N 122.084°W / 37.422; -122.084
Address	1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043

The Googleplex is the main office complex for Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. It is located in Mountain View, California. This huge campus is where many of Google's important decisions and innovations happen.

The name "Googleplex" is a mix of "Google" and "complex" (meaning a group of buildings). It also reminds people of the word "googolplex," which is a very, very large number (10 followed by a googol of zeros!).

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Exploring the Googleplex Campus

A Look at the Original Campus

From SGI to Google's Home

The land where the Googleplex stands used to belong to a company called Silicon Graphics (SGI). Their offices were built in 1997. This area also includes a public park called Charleston Park. The designers made sure to put nearly 2,000 parking spots underground. This helped create beautiful outdoor spaces with water features and pathways.

Google started leasing these buildings in 2003. They bought the property from Silicon Graphics in 2006 for $319 million.

What's Inside Googleplex?

The south side of the Googleplex in 2006.

The former entrance to the lobby of Building 40.

Another Google campus area near the Googleplex.

The buildings at Googleplex are not very tall, so the campus spreads out over a large area. Inside, you'll find fun things like giant rubber balls and a piano in the lobby. The lobby even shows live Google searches!

Googleplex offers many cool facilities for its employees. These include free laundry rooms, two small swimming pools, and sand volleyball courts. There's also a bowling alley, massage rooms, and organic gardens. Employees can choose from eighteen different cafeterias with many kinds of food.

You might even see interesting decorations like a replica of SpaceShipOne or a dinosaur skeleton.

Green Energy at Googleplex

Googleplex uses a lot of green energy. Since 2017, solar panels cover the roofs of eight buildings and two carports. These panels can produce 1.6 megawatts of electricity. This means they provide 30% of the electricity needed during busy times for those buildings.

Google also uses special energy servers called Bloom Energy Servers. These help power the campus in an eco-friendly way.

Android Statues

Google buildings are close to Shoreline Park.

A courtyard at the Googleplex.

You can find fun statues of the Android logo and characters from different Android versions. These colorful statues are located on the Google campus at 1981 Landings Drive.

Bay View Campus Addition

In 2013, Google started building a new campus called "Bay View." This addition is next to the original Googleplex. It is built on land leased from NASA Ames Research Center. The Bay View campus overlooks San Francisco Bay. This was the first time Google designed its own buildings.

Visiting Googleplex

In September 2023, Google opened the Google Visitor Experience. This is a special visitor center right next to the Googleplex. It used to be called Charleston East but is now known as Gradient Canopy. The visitor center has a Google Store, a public area, a café, and public art. It opened on October 12, 2023.

Where is Googleplex Located?

The Googleplex is in north Mountain View, California. It is near Charleston Road, Amphitheatre Parkway, and Shoreline Boulevard. It's also close to the Shoreline Park wetlands.

Many Google employees use free Wi-Fi-enabled shuttle buses to get to work. These shuttles use a special fuel mix to reduce pollution.

Nearby places include the Shoreline Amphitheatre and Intuit. To the south, you'll find Microsoft's Silicon Valley research complex and the Computer History Museum. Moffett Field is also close by.

Other Google Locations in Mountain View

Google has other large offices in Mountain View. One is called "The Quad," located about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the Googleplex.

In 2013, Google also leased the entire Mayfield Mall. This used to be a shopping mall.

The secret Google X Lab is also in Mountain View. This lab works on new and exciting projects like Google Glass. It's about half a mile (0.8 km) from the Googleplex. Employees often use company bikes to travel between the lab and the main campus.

Images for kids

This restaurant is at Googleplex.
Bicycles are used by employees at Googleplex.

Googleplex facts for kids