Many institutional and commercial facilities continue to struggle with decisions on returning to classrooms and workplaces as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Commercial office buildings can present the most challenging situation for developing a workable strategy, given the diverse tenant needs to account for in deciding whether and how to return. One company, however, has stated its commitment to in-person workplaces.
Google says it plans to spend more than $7 billion on real estate across the U.S. in 2021 as it resumes spending in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to CNBC. The company said the money will go toward expanding offices and data centers across 19 states, creating what will amount to at least 10,000 full-time jobs.
The company plans to return workers to offices beginning this fall. CEO Sundar Pichai previously said Google wouldn’t adopt a permanent remote work plan, expecting most employees to show up to assigned offices three days a week starting in September.
Dan Hounsell is editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
