Shane Cole
Google's ruling trio of Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Eric Schmidt are reportedly ready to begin construction of a 29-acre, $82 million private air terminal at Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Source: Fast Company
Builders will start work in February and wind up construction by the end of 2015, according to a report from CNBC. Word of the project, which is also expected to service the private jets of other Silicon Valley luminaries, first surfaced early last year.
The facility will reportedly contain 270,000 square feet of hangar space and be capable of servicing aircraft at least as large as a Boeing 737. When complete, five of the terminal's seven wings are expected to be dedicated to Google.
Source: Fast Company
Page, Brin, and Schmidt — who will finance the project with their own money —  tapped renowned architecture firm Gensler to design the buildings. Gensler is also responsible for, among other projects, Seoul's Incheon International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Los Angeles's new Farmers Field football stadium.
Fixed-base operator Signature Flight Support will run the terminal, which is expected to bring nearly $3.5 million per year to the city of San Jose in the form of rent and tax revenue. When complete, the terminal will be one of the largest private air facilities in the world.
Source: Fast Company
The Googlers' fleet is currently based out of NASA's Moffett Field, but the lease — Â which ends next year — Â has often been the subject of intense debate, and is expected not to be renewed.
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35 Comments
The mockups look nice. I wonder if they will also use it for testing Google drones?
Hmm...how are private jets good for the environment?
Nice life. I'd do it if I could.
Hmm...how are private jets good for the environment?
How is Google good for the environment?
Hmm...how are private jets good for the environment?
They are excellent for the environment. Your environment changes from a cramped tube with 100 strangers and their crying children to a comfortable armchair with a glass of wine and a dedicated waiter. ;-)