Google shelves $19b mega-campus project in San Jose

Google has paused work on a $19 billion 80-acre campus in San Jose, spanning 7.3 million square feet of office space, according to CNBC.

In June 2021, Google received approval to build the mega-campus, dubbed Downtown West, which would deliver thousands of new housing units and 15 acres of public parks.

CNBC reports that as part of Google’s downsizing that went into effect early this year, amid rising interest rates and recessionary concerns, the company has gutted its development team for the San Jose campus. The construction project, which was supposed to break ground before the end of 2023, has been shelved, with no definitive plan to restart construction, people with knowledge of the matter told CNBC.

In addition, in February, LendLease, the lead developer for the project, laid off a number of employees, including several community engagement managers, senior development managers, a head of business operations and other executives. Howeve