Just a few minutes east of Seattle, in Kirkland, Washington, there's a tech hub buzzing with energy. Welcome to Google's Kirkland campus — a place where innovative minds meet cozy vibes. It's not just about work here. It's about creating amazing things and feeling at home while doing it.
The campus sits on 6th Street, right in the heart of Kirkland. And it’s not your typical office space. Think tree-lined walkways, rooftop gardens, and cozy coffee corners sprinkled throughout the buildings. It's both cutting-edge and quaint at the same time.
So what makes it so special?
Built for Innovation
Google Kirkland is a major hub for some big projects. Teams here work on cool things like:
- Google Cloud
- Android
- Ads and Commerce
- Geo products like Google Maps
That means the magic behind the apps we use every day is often woven right here in the Pacific Northwest.
The offices are designed to spark creativity. Each building has big open spaces where ideas can flow. You’ll also see whiteboards everywhere — even in the kitchens!
The Energy of the Pacific Northwest
People might think Silicon Valley is the center of all tech life. But in Kirkland, the vibe is different. More relaxed. More outdoorsy. More “local coffee shop” and less “rush hour freeway.”
And it shows in the office, too. Google encourages work-life balance here. Employees can use walking trails, ride on-site bikes, or just hang out on rooftop decks with views of Lake Washington.
A Campus Built with Care
The buildings themselves are part of the story. They’re designed to be sustainable and people-friendly. Features include:
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- LEED-certified design
- Living rooftops with native plants and beehives
- Recycled materials used throughout
And yes, there are cafes with local produce, snack stations around every corner, and even kombucha on tap.
One of the most beloved features? The rooftop gardens. Not only do they help keep the buildings cool, but they’re also a peaceful spot to take a break or have a team meeting in the sun.
Celebrating Community and Diversity
Inside the Kirkland campus, the team spirit runs deep. There are employee groups and meetups for everything from coding and hiking to karaoke and Dungeons & Dragons.
Each month, you might find:
- Lunch-and-learns with guest speakers
- Volunteer events to give back to the Kirkland community
- Cultural celebrations and food fests
It’s all part of Google’s mission to build an inclusive and connected workplace.
Growing in the Northwest
The Kirkland campus has grown fast. What started with around 50 employees back in 2004 has now become one of Google's largest engineering offices outside of California.
To accommodate the growth, new buildings are being planned and constructed. These spaces are designed to support hybrid work, flexibility, and — of course — more collaboration areas.
More Than Just a Workplace
Visitors often say the Kirkland campus doesn’t feel like an office at all. It feels like a place where ideas are planted and grown. A place where people smile as they walk between meetings. A place where innovation is fun.
Whether it’s brainstorming over lunch at the café, coding near a sunny window, or walking through blooming rooftop gardens, the energy on 6th Street is hard to miss.
So the next time your app updates or your Maps load a bit quicker, it might just be thanks to the team working away in the Pacific Northwest, inside Google’s magical campus in Kirkland.
