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Google moves to new office to house fast growing team of engineers in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Google on Thursday (Nov 10) officially opened the doors to its new office at Mapletree Business City II in Pasir Panjang, where it occupies two entire office blocks to house its "fast growing" team of engineers.

The tech giant hopes to attract more Singapore engineers working overseas, especially in Silicon Valley tech firms, to return home. It now has 1,000 employees, including an undisclosed number of engineers, in its new Singapore engineering hub.

The expansion supports its goal of reaching the next billion Internet users. There were an estimated 3.2 billion Internet users worldwide as of last year.

"We are starting to see a lot of Singaporeans coming back," Mr Caesar Sengupta, Google's locally-based vice-president of The Next Billion Users, told The Straits Times in an interview.

Mr Sengupta, who became a Singaporean 10 years ago, said the nation is a good place for "long-term bets" due to its business-friendly policies.

He would not disclose new hiring plans, but said that the engineering team here is "growing very fast".

"The tech industry here is very vibrant now with a lot of start-ups, and it is a very good place to source for talent."

Basing an engineering pool here is also strategic for the company, and for Mr Sengupta, as it wants to be close to Internet users in South-east Asia.

His division works on products to bring Internet content to more people. These include translating content into Asian languages, and enabling Google Maps and YouTube for offline use for places where mobile access is limited or expensive. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) projects will also be done in Singapore.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was at the opening along with Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran, hopes Google and Singapore can benefit from each other - especially in a world where technology is rapidly changing the way business is done.

Highlighting the country's Smart Nation initiative, and its energy and buzz, he said "we will be able to add something to Google".

"Tech is disruptive and your objective is to disrupt the world," he added. "We expect to be disrupted but we want to... come out on the right side of disruption."

Turning to a crowd of more than 100 Google employees, Mr Lee said: "And we depend on you to help us to do better."

Google's local engineering hub is the latest addition to a growing list of similar facilities in Hyderabad in India, Sydney in Australia, and Mountain View in the United States, among other locations.

Google's Singapore office, which is its Asia-Pacific business headquarters, started with only 24 people in 2007 and has primarily been focusing on business development, sales and marketing.

Checks by The Straits Times show that the two office blocks the firm has leased at Mapletree Business City II could accommodate up to 3,000 people depending on office configuration.

Dr Beh Swan Gin, chairman of Singapore's Economic Development Board, said the setting up of Google's engineering team here is a reflection of its confidence in Singapore's tech capabilities.

"In particular, we welcome Google's close collaboration with the Singapore Government to train Singaporeans in digital skills and partner small- and medium-sized enterprises in adopting digital solutions," he said.

Dr Beh added that Google's vision to reach the next billion users is in line with Singapore's plans to become a smart nation and digital capital of Asia.

Speaking at Google's official office opening, Mr Iswaran said that it is important for Singapore to establish leadership positions in digital segments, such as software, devices and infrastructure.

The digital economy is expected to contribute US$2 trillion in additional output globally by 2020, and Singapore wants a cut of this.

"One important reason for our focus on the digital economy, and the partnership with leading companies like Google, is the new opportunities it will create for local SMEs and Singaporeans," said Mr Iswaran.

In particular, SMEs can enter online and global markets without requiring a huge investment. There will also be new jobs for Singaporeans, he added.

Based on a survey conducted in June 2015 by the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), it is estimated that 53,000 new jobs in areas such as data analytics, software engineering, cybersecurity and digital marketing will be created by 2018.

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Google has a new Singapore HQ! They’ve moved from Asia Square 1 to Mapletree Business City II, and it’s a big upgrade. Google’s Asia-Pacific headquarters spans the entirety of blocks 60 to 70, from the third to eighth floors, and now employs approximately 1,000 people.

I had a sneak preview of their new office just a couple of weeks after they moved in, and dear readers, it is stupendous. What you’re about to see in the next few pages may very well be the most amazing office in Singapore.

I visited the week of Deepavali, so there were rangoli (floor decoration) displays around the office. I was told that the staff would regularly put up holiday-appropriate decorations during the year.

This giant assembly of screens is the first thing you see as you pass reception. This large atrium actually connects blocks 60 and 70, and the open spaces were designed to encourage serendipitous encounters between staff. Canteens and cafes are also centrally located, so everyone will come to the spacious middle to mingle sooner or later.

Google’s corporate colors are sprinkled throughout the design of the building. The blue, red and orange glass panels here reveal meeting rooms inside; the ability to see inside them repeat the atrium’s sense of openness and transparency. The top floor also opens out to natural sunlight, not only opening up but also brightening the space.

Desks and meeting rooms on the ground floor of the atrium. You’ll spot power plugs on those tables, that’s because you can work anywhere at Google. If you feel like working right beside reception today, you can simply claim that chair and work from there. 

The wooden floors reveal the new office’s color palette. Besides the official Google colors, the new HQ is very much patterned after the colors of a rainforest, with wood textures everywhere, and liberal doses of greens. It’s a deliberate callback to the Asia-Pacific HQ’s location in the tropics.

The smart LED lights in this corridor can be programmed to say anything Google wants, like a warm “Welcome” message for VIP guests.

Thinking about smart offices, I asked if any of the rooms here were hooked up to  a Google Home device , and the answer was a surprising “no.” As for why, I was simply told that Home, Google’s voice-activated smart home assistant, isn’t officially available in Singapore yet.

Google’s office has an in-house gym, which is open 24/7 and completely free for its employees. And you can spend your office hours working out, no questions asked. When I jokingly asked how HR tracks which employees are spending their entire days here, I was told that nobody gets tracked for anything. To be sure, Google does measure employee performance ( here’s how , as revealed by Google’s SVP of People Operations Laszlo Bock), but it’s refreshing to hear that the legends are true: Google treats its employees like adults; they don’t care how you spend your time, as long as you get your work done.

The opposite view across the windows in the middle atrium. If you wanted, you could look up to and walk all the way to the top floor from here.

A desk with Lego to rest and de-stress. Looks like at least one home-grown Googler is old enough to remember those old playgrounds.

Here we are at one of the two canteens in the new HQ, this is the smaller one. Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge to Googlers, with a lot of healthy options. I was too early to catch lunch, alas, or you’d be getting a Google food review.

The Google HQ is divided into major kampongs (villages), my guide’s offices are in the Bugis kampong . Meeting rooms are named after local languages, MRT stations and local phrases (I’m told there’s a “Steady Pom Pi Pi” meeting room).

But it’s not just local area names that are being used in the new HQ. You can also catch familiar locations from around the region, like Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, etc., which reflect the Asia Pacific HQ’s multinational influences.

One of two cafes, with baristas making fresh coffee for Googlers. And yes, all the drinks are free . Did we say this was probably the most amazing office in Singapore or what?

A view from further up on the central atrium. If you take a close look at the middle left of the photo, you can see actual work desks for Googlers. I was told that it was up to individual departments if they wanted to do free-seating or dedicated desks for their staff; neither is mandatory, adults get to choose. The big cocoons in the middle are enclosed seats for Googlers who need a quiet spot to focus on their work.

Here’s a great spot to watch YouTube.

One of the many pantries sprinkled around Google HQ. Again, the healthy options are plenty, but there’s a hidden secret ...

Google has unhealthy snacks too, but they’re hidden! It’s part of how Google uses psychology to help its staff eat healthily : Put the good stuff front and center so you’re more likely to grab them, hide the bad stuff so they’re out of sight and out of mind. They use the same tactic in the canteens as they do at the pantries.

Here’s another example of Google designs for healthy eating. The good stuff is on top, in front of the transparent part of glass, where you can see it easily and grab it comfortably. The sugary stuff is all below, hidden behind the opaque part of glass, where you have to bend down to get it.

Every floor in the new office has a special meeting room, also called an ‘immersion room.’ Each room is uniquely decorated, to encourage Googlers to think differently during meetings. This one is the ‘Junk Shop’ and you’ll see that it’s appropriately named ...

Told you. ‘Junk Shop’ has a distinctly retro/vintage/junky vibe to it, with mood lighting to boot. I especially love that long wooden table at the end with the funky metal legs. Those TVs on the wall can be used to conduct video Hangouts, which I’m told is a major way to communicate inside Google.

This is the part of the tour where my already open jaw drops even further to the ground. Tired Googlers can make their way to this room for a quick nap. The beds are a little short, but who’s complaining - definitely not the guy without a bed in the office. There’s a nice big massage chair in here too, but I wouldn’t waste my time with it because ...

You can book your own massage sessions here, right inside Google HQ. Getting a massage, mind you, inside an office, on the company’s dime, and even on the company’s time. So this is the kind of office you can get, if you’re an international multi-billion tech conglomerate.

I feel like there’s some kind of commentary to be made here, about the difference between companies that expect you to stay rooted at your table, even if you’ve already finished your work, to companies that trust you to finish your deliverables on-time, letting you plan your work and personal time like an adult, because - nah, never mind.

The main cafeteria on the top floor, which is massive - it spans two stories, with a smaller cafe on the top for a post-meal cuppa.

I have to hand it to whoever designed the Google interiors; there’s a lot of respect here for local traditions. Whatever the Google HQ is, it’s not sterile; there are splashes of character here and there, and tasteful nods to Singapore culture.

I’m told there’s a particularly awesome Taco Tuesday with delicious Mexican food.

Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin hold a weekly town hall here every Friday afternoon, via the giant TV. The regular town hall has been a thing since Google’s early days, but it’s not compulsory. After it ends, the canteen breaks out free beers for TGIF Friday.

So, Google’s new HQ might just be the most amazing office in Singapore yet. With an office like this, the only question you might ask is why you would ever want to leave.

Have feedback on the article for the editorial team? You can reach out to them here .

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Embark on an AR tour of Singapore's hidden spots with Google and STB

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Tech giant Google and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is creating an augmented reality (AR) guided tour of Singapore's landmarks and best hidden secrets. 

Titled "Merli's Immersive Adventure", the AR tour kicks off the 2024 travel season and makes it easier for travellers to discover new sights and understand Singapore through immersive storytelling.

Merli, STB's tourism mascot, will guide travellers through six stops in Singapore's Civic District and Chinatown where tourists and residents alike can explore and learn more about the areas. 

Don't miss:  Nearly 84% of queries on Google Search powered by Gen-AI, says study 

Some of the stops include Fullerton Hotel - what was once Singapore's first-ever post office - where travellers can send a virtual postcard to their friends or family and the Great Emporium stop where they can learn the significance of the Singapore River while marvel at a life-sized bumboat brought to life in AR. 

"Merli's Immersive Adventure" also takes travellers to hidden spots such as the Peranakan Tile Gallery, a local Chinatown business that sells tiles salvaged from demolished shophouses, and Maxwell Food Centre where the interactive AR map will recommend must-try hawker dishes. 

This tour is powered by Google's ARCore and Geospatial Creator and is accessible via the "Visit Singapore Travel Guide" app. 

It also marks Google's first tourism partner in the tech giant's ARCore Early Access Program where developers, teams and brands around the world can play and build with Google's AR tools and solutions. 

"STB actively looks for possible tourism use cases in emerging technologies such as Extended Reality (XR),” says Simon Ang, the STB director for The Collaboratory.

“We’ll always be open to piloting new technologies to create novel experiences for visitors and are excited to be working with Google to pioneer this movement.”

"Merli's Life Adventure" is just one of many diverse efforts by STB to attract tourists to the Little Red Dot. Recently, STB partnered with digital payment platform, Alipay+, and eWallet company, TNG Digital, to promote travel in Singapore among Malaysian visitors.

The partnership will offer Malaysian travellers curated deals for their next holiday in Singapore, along with more cashless payment options and a range of in-destination promotions.

Malaysian users of TNG Digital’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet, which is a payment partner of the Alipay+ ecosystem, will be able to use it to book flights and purchase travel insurance prior to their trips.

As more promotions get rolled out in the coming months, users will also be able to pay and redeem deals through the eWallet across lifestyle merchants in Singapore, including retail stores, tourist attractions, and restaurants.

Join us this coming 24 - 25 April for #Content360, a two-day extravaganza centered around four core thematic pillars: Explore with AI; Insight-powered strategies; Content as an experience; and Embrace the future. Immerse yourself in learning to curate content with creativity, critical thinking, and confidence with us at Content360!

Related articles:  Klook bolsters localised content and engagement with Google Cloud's gen AI  STB banks on music content once again, ties up with Nathan Hartono   Study: We know marketers love Google's ad platforms. But why do consumers? 

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Google Office Singapore: 10 Fun Facts about Google's APAC Headquarters

Google is known for its swanky spaces and the incredible benefits it provides to its employees. In 2016, the tech behemoth shifted its Google Singapore office along the west coast. The purpose-built space is gigantic, vibrant, and perhaps the coolest office space in Singapore. 

Our team had the privilege of an exclusive tour around the Google Singapore office, which also happens to be its Asia Pacific headquarters. Here’s a glimpse of all that astounded us at the Singapore Google headquarters. 

10 Fun Facts About the Google Singapore Office

1. say hello .

The first thing we noticed when we walked into the Google Office in Singapore was the giant assembly of screens at the reception. It displays the different happenings at Google. The atrium connects blocks 60 and 70, located centrally with large spaces so that people can bump into each other. Quite the social setup at Google Singapore.

2. Travel Within the Singapore Google Office 

There was no doubt that the Asian Google headquarters would be huge, but we didn’t expect how much it would cover. You can tour the whole of Singapore and South Asia from the office. Wondering how? Well, all of Google Office Singapore meeting rooms and floors are named after MRT stations, local languages and local phrases. It’s also got names from regions such as Malaysia and Thailand.  You can see some of it in the GIF above. How creative is that? 

So in the Singapore Google office, conversations may go:

A: "Hey, where are you sitting today?"

B: "Oh, I'll be in Novena if you wanna find me!"

A: "Be there in five; I'm coming from Rochor ."

‍ 3. Throw Back and Relax

We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own "to-do list" - Michelle Obama

How does a spa sound after a long and dreary workday? Splendid, right? What if you could unwind like that in the middle of your workday? Google Office Singapore employees have that luxury in the Google headquarters itself. The office provides salon and spa services for their employees right in the office quarters so they can get that quick pamper fix without having to seek it elsewhere. 

If only pictures could capture the divine scent of the salon and spa room! While you’re there, you’re sure to forget that you’re still at work. 

4. Take a Nap 

As if a massage room wasn’t enough, Singapore Google headquarters also has a room where employees can take a quick nap. The bunk beds are pretty cosy, and there’s a massage chair in there, too, in case you’re feeling lazy to trudge up to the spa room. Has your jaw dropped yet? Pick it up, ‘cause there’s more! 

5. Grab a Bite 

If you're an employee at Google Singapore, you no longer have to worry about bringing snacks to work—they have everything you need right here in the office! Google's office used to be famous for its unlimited supply of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. While we didn't manage to catch sight of any ice cream tubs, there seemed to be an unlimited supply of snacks that ranged from healthy to unhealthy. They had every imaginable kind of fruit, granola bars, nuts, chips, and everything else in between. Google has a cool trick to help its employees eat healthier – put the healthy snacks on top where it’s easily accessible and hide the unhealthy food, making it tougher to get to. 

‍ 6. Not Enough? Try Something Fancy!

As if free snacks just weren't enough, the Singapore Google headquarters has a team of talented chefs to prepare hot meals for everyone in the office. The options range from burger stalls and Mexican food to local cuisine as well. This allows employees to get quick and easy access to food without having to leave the office. With the tables and plating neatly set in their biggest dining hall, you can enjoy a fancy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. What's not to love?

‍ 7. Bali-Vibe Workspace

‍ "Googlers can choose the workspace that best suits their style or the tasks they need to focus on just for that moment," a Google spokesperson told CNBC .

While employees have their own office desks and designated workspaces, they also have the option work in common spaces that can encourage them to think differently. For instance, there is a workspace that resembles a Bali-inspired café right outside the salon and spa area. It has lush plants and comfortable seats, as seen in the GIF above. If you're looking for an Instagrammable work spot with direct sunlight, you know exactly where to go.

8. Cool Meeting Rooms 

You know how they say the space you’re in can force you to think differently? Google Singapore is filled with opportunities like this! Every floor in the Singapore Google headquarters has a special meeting room called “immersion rooms”. These rooms are decorated uniquely. For instance, there’s one called the Junk Room that has weird artefacts and other things you may throw out but gives the room a cool new vibe. 

‍ 9. Build With Your Hands 

Heard the saying all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? Well, Google office in Singapore has a solution! There’s a spot in the Singapore Google headquarters that has a desk filled with Lego. You can just chill out there, build something with your hands, or even drop off your children there for a bit. Ought to keep them busy for a while. 

‍ 10. Get Smart with Google

Google Singapore has a corridor with smart LED lights that can be programmed to say anything you want. For instance, if a top official is stopping by the Google Singapore headquarters, then the lights can say a “Hello!” message! It surely is a smart office at its best! 

The Google Singapore Office's Growth Story

In 2007, Google opened its first office in Collyer Quay, Singapore, with only 24 employees. They've since called Mapletree Business City II in Pasir Panjang their home. Now, they occupy blocks 60 to 70 and take up the property's entire third to eighth floors. 

It’s hard to imagine where they started out now that the Google team has famously grown to a staggering 3,000 employees in Singapore alone. The Google Singapore office also doubles as its Asia-Pacific Google headquarters.

During the pandemic, Google Singapore shut down its office and moved its employees into a remote setup. Since the easing of the pandemic, the office space has gradually opened up, with employees returning to a hybrid model. 

Whether at home or in the office, Googlers connect through clubs, cultural celebrations and support groups. This helps them connect with their hobbies. A bonus fun fact: Google Singapore has the largest board games group of any Google office in the world, with 600+ members and 200+ board games. 

The Cool Things That Googlers in the Singapore Office Have Worked On

Singapore Googlers have got their hands dirty on many Google products. Employees also work in areas such as sales, marketing, finance and business operations. 

Here are some of the cool things Google Singapore employees have worked on:

• Google Pay’s cool new Menu Discovery feature comes from Singapore. The Googlers here noticed that food and beverage shops were facing a hard time during the pandemic. To help boost their business, Google now lists local merchants on its Menu Discovery page for free!
• Singapore was Google’s first Cloud region in Southeast Asia. 
• Google Singapore has 3 data centres that power the heart of Google. They are also the most efficient and eco-friendly facilities in Asia. 
• Singapore is the regional hub for YouTube. 

Wrapping up the Google Singapore Office Tour

After our visit to the Asia Pacific Google headquarters, some of our members shared a few interesting and useful insights, which could be helpful to small business owners, HR executives, and anyone who wants to improve their working environment. Here's what they had to say:

• A workplace could and should be fun. Although the office is where your employees will spend half of their day in, it doesn't mean it can't be an enjoyable place! Companies don't necessarily have to provide salon and spa services – something as simple as providing free coffee and tea or healthy snacks can keep employees motivated.
• Investing in employees = Worth it! This will improve employee retention and attract potential employees to work with you in the long run. If you treat your employees well, it will act as word-of-mouth marketing for your business. Happy employees tend to share positive feedback with the people around them, which will earn you and your business brownie points.

💡 Tips: Empower your team while keeping the company efficient and informed every step of the way. Issue unlimited corporate cards for free and control company expenses at every step.

On top of our visit to the Google HQ, we also visited the Accounting and Finance Show in the same week. Held in Suntec Convention Centre, this event is Asia's largest free-to-attend accounting and finance event, which celebrates the latest technology and solutions, as well as the masterminds behind them. It is through events like this that we are reminded of our mission and purpose.

At Aspire, we envision a world where business owners have fast and simple access to the funding they need to grow. That’s why we’re on a mission to create an all-in-one Finance Operating System for growing businesses in Southeast Asia and beyond. Through the Aspire Business Account, modern business owners can gain access to a wide range of modern solutions to better manage their finances. This includes low FX fees, virtual corporate cards, cashback on marketing on SaaS spending, and everything else in between.

What’s more, there are cool rewards and cashbacks that you can enjoy as a business using Google products e.g. when you advertise on Google Ads . Aspire provides 1% cashback on Google Ads and Software-as-a-Service spends such as Google Suites and Google Cloud and exciting rewards that you can check out here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did google choose singapore to be its asia pacific headquarters.

Google Singapore is the headquarters for Asia Pacific as well as home to three data centres in Jurong. According to the tech giant, there are plenty of reasons why they choose Singapore as their Asia Pacific Google headquarters - reliable infrastructure (including access to the region’s most extensive subsea cable network), skilled workforce as well as Singapore’s renowned business-friendly environment are some of them.

How to get to Singapore Google headquarters? 

Located in Mapletree Business City (MBC) along Pasir Panjang Road, the Google headquarters is easily accessible through multiple road networks and MRT stations. The nearest MRT stations to the office include Pasir Panjang, Labrador Park, and Telok Blangah Station.

‍How do I visit Google HQ Singapore?

Fortunately, visiting Google headquarters in Singapore isn't complicated. The lobby is open to members of the public, but touring around the office is private. You will need to get an invitation from an internal employee before attending any of Google's events to visit the headquarters. Head over here to look for upcoming google events.

💡 Tips: Did you know you can get 17% off Google Workspace when you open an account with us? Unlock this promo and many more with Aspire Rewards today

How do I get a job at Google Singapore? 

You can check out the openings at Google Singapore here and apply for a position if you match the requirements.

Google and Singapore Tourism Board collaborate to drive immersive AR guided tours in Singapore

Singapore Tourism Board is the first tourism partner globally in Google’s ARCore Early Access Program to co-ideate new, innovative tourism use cases

This week at Google I/O 2023,  Google and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched a preview of two new immersive AR experiences around Merlion Park and Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall in its VisitSingapore app. Powered by Google’s ARCore Geospatial API, visitors will be able to embark on an engaging and immersive guided tour, which will be fully launched by the end of the year, on their VisitSingapore app.

Google launched the ARCore Geospatial API in 2022 to help developers create world-anchored experiences.  The API provides access to Google’s Visual Positioning Service (VPS), which can be used to track the position, orientation, and allows developers to place virtual objects in the real world with realistic lighting and physics. This makes it possible to create a wide range of AR experiences, from games to educational tools.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is Google’s first tourism partner in their global ARCore Early Access Program to co-ideate new innovative tourism use cases.

With this new AR guided tour in its Visit Singapore app, visitors can follow Merli, Singapore’s well-loved tourism mascot on an immersive tour of Singapore’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Using both Unity and Streetscape Geometry, each stop features an AR experience that enables visitors to engage with Singapore in new delightful ways – from discovering the best local hawker food to uncovering history through scenes from the past.

One of the tour’s highlights takes place at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, where visitors can witness a larger-than-life string quartet performing on top of the national monument. Google’s Visual Positioning System powers the precise AR effects.

The VisitSingapore app currently offers a preview with two AR experiences available around Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall and Merlion Park. The full launch with more places of interest is expected by the end of the year.

Miguel de Andrés-Clavera. Group Product Manager, Google PI, said, “ Google’s AR and geospatial technologies have expanded the possibilities of complementing travel experiences with highly immersive and informative experiences when exploring a destination. We’re thrilled to work with the Singapore Tourism Board as the first Geospatial trusted tester for travel, and harness the power of AR technology to augment the physical world and heighten the element of helpful surprises for travellers and local explorers of Singapore.”

Goh Kershing, Senior Vice President, Future Tourism, Singapore Tourism Board   said,  “This collaboration with Google allows STB to tap into Google’s expertise, and access their latest digital capabilities to offer visitors a new way to explore Singapore. We are excited to leverage Google’s latest visual positioning system and geospatial technologies to power a 3D version of our very own Merli taking visitors through iconic landmarks and hidden gems in Singapore. Such innovative efforts will help us stay ahead of the curve and set Singapore apart from other destinations.

The new AR Core experiences are available to users located in Singapore. The Visit Singapore app is available for free on the  Google Play Store  and  App Store .

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Google for Singapore: New commitments to our home in Asia

Aug 23, 2022

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In 2007, we opened Google's first office in Southeast Asia, on Singapore’s Collyer Quay. It was a small space, with just enough room for a couple dozen Googlers, but a huge step in Google’s international growth. Throughout its history, Singapore has been a global hub where trade, technology and ideas can thrive. Establishing a presence here was a natural choice for a company created to bring the benefits of technology to as many people as possible, all around the world.

First office at Collyer Quay circa 2007

Fifteen years on, and Google Singapore has grown to more than 3,000 people. Singapore today is our Asia Pacific headquarters — leading our efforts to support the 2.5 billion people online across the region — and we love being part of this vibrant, diverse community. Guided by our mission to empower Singaporeans today, for tomorrow , we’re proud to have worked with local partners across government, business and the nonprofit sector to ensure Singaporeans can access the digital education , skills and opportunities they deserve.

Employees at our current office at Pasir Panjang.

Today, at our (much bigger) offices on Singapore’s west coast , we hosted our first Google for Singapore event , where we were joined by Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, and other government and industry leaders. It was a chance to celebrate Google Singapore’s 15th anniversary, our Singapore cloud region ’s fifth anniversary — and, more importantly, to reaffirm our commitment to Singapore’s future with a number of new and expanded initiatives.

Here are some of the highlights.

Scott Beaumont, President of Asia Pacific Google, shakes hands with Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.

Scott Beaumont, Lawrence Wong, and Google for Singapore attendees stand outside the office.

On stage at Google for Singapore.

Creating economic opportunity

As digitization speeds up, reshaping industries and changing the nature of work, we’re building on the partnerships we’ve formed to help Singaporeans learn new skills and pursue careers in high-growth areas.

In 2020, we launched Skills Ignition SG , a collaboration with government and industry to provide both digital skills training and hands-on work experience. So far, the program has supported more than 5,500 people, and we’re now widening our efforts to include an enhanced traineeship program at Google, opening up a new career certificate and expanding our employer consortium .

At the same time, we are stepping up our efforts to help Singapore reinforce its position as a leader in AI innovation. Google Cloud will partner with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group to create novel AI solutions that will improve how Singaporeans work and live. The partnership will also help deepen AI capabilities in public service and shape AI governance and ethics.

Investing in our home in Asia

Singapore is a regional hub for our network of data centers, cloud regions and subsea cables, which connect the country to the rest of the region and the world, give people access to fast internet and help businesses transform. We announced our first data center in Singapore in 2011, our second in 2015 and we recently hit another important milestone — with our third data center facility completed and in operation in Jurong. Put together, our data centers represent a long-term investment in Singapore of US$850 million .

Data center's reception area

Data center's comfortable common space

Data center's working space with local artwork

Data center's micro-kitchen space

Our first roving Online Safety Park

Safety and sustainability

Access to the internet comes with risks as well as opportunities, and we recognize our responsibility to help Singaporeans stay safe online — especially those most vulnerable to online threats.

Our Be Internet Awesome program has helped Singaporean parents talk to their children about cyberbullying, misinformation and privacy. A new partnership we’re embarking on with IMDA and the Media Literacy Council aims to train 50,000 parents and kids over the next 12 months. We’ll take these classes into communities, creating a roaming Google Online Safety Park that will travel across Singapore — starting at CHIJ Katong Convent and West Grove Primary School.

Finally, as part of our global commitment to action on climate change, we’re increasing our support for local nonprofits working to protect natural environments and reduce emissions. Through Google.org , our philanthropic arm, we’re committing a $1 million grant to conservation nonprofit Mandai Nature , which will work with other organizations in Southeast Asia on developing an online tool to map areas that host rich biodiversity — and hold the key to carbon reduction. This grant will complement our broader collaboration with Singapore on sustainability and technology, including the recent announcement that Google Cloud and the Monetary Authority of Singapore will work together to foster new climate finance solutions.

We’re looking forward to delivering on these new commitments, strengthening our relationships with partners in government and the community, and helping many more Singaporeans make the most of the opportunities that technology creates. Here’s to many more years of strong partnership between Google and Singapore.

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• Google launches AR tour experience via Singapore tourism app
• May 16, 2023
• By Olusanya Daniel

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered with Google’s ARCore team to offer augmented reality (AR)-powered guided tours hosted on Merli − Singapore’s tourism mascot – which allows travelers to embark on immersive guided tours from their phones. A preview of the new immersive AR experiences around Merlion Park, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall through the Visit Singapore app occurred at the Google I/O 2023, which took place in California on May 10th.

The technology – which allows developers to blend virtual content with the natural world − uses various AI techniques to match images from the scanned environment against the model of the world made up of trillions of 3D points from Street View images. It is also reported that the experience entails faster internet speeds and the adoption of 5G.

Miguel de Andrés-Clavera, Group Product Manager, Google Partner Innovations, stated that Google’s AR and geospatial technologies had expanded the possibilities of complementing travel experiences with highly immersive and informative experiences when exploring a destination.

“We’re thrilled to work with the Singapore Tourism Board as the first geospatial trusted tester for travel and harness the power of AR technology to augment the physical world and heighten the element of helpful surprises for travelers and local explorers of Singapore.” Miguel de Andres-Clavera, Group Product Manager, Google Partner Innovations

Goh Kershing, Senior Vice President of Future Tourism at STB, noted that the partnership with Google would set Singapore apart from other destinations. “One of the main tour highlights is at the Victoria Theater and Concert Hall,” Kershing said. He also mentioned that visitors will be able to listen to a string quartet performing on top of the national monument.

Merli leads tourists to Singapore’s iconic landmarks

According to a tweet by Google AR and VR, Merli leads visitors on an immersive tour of Singapore’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems

“From discovering new food to uncovering history, each stop features an AR experience that allows visitors to engage with Singapore in brand new ways,” the tweet also stated. Also, STB’s Chief Technology Officer, Wong Ming Fai, said in a LinkedIn post that the board team had to work within a short timeline, find solutions around technical challenges, accommodate changing requirements, and bridge teams across time zones to get the AR-guided tours up and running.

Photo Credit: Swapnil Bapat (Unsplash)

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Inside Singapore’s Most Incredible Company (Google office tour)

Google Singapore’s office is probably the best in this country. It has numerous canteens (food courts) to cater 3,000 employees, a spa/wellness, a nap room, and even a secret room some Googlers probably don’t even know about. I am taking you on an exclusive tour of this amazing workplace.

Chapters 00:00 intro 02:00 Google Singapore Office Tour 07:49 Lunch at Google Singapore 12:45 SECRET ROOM IN OFFICE 13:45 Meeting Googlers

Thank you Surfshark for sponsoring this video.

🍿 BEHIND the scenes & EXCLUSIVE Content on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ghib_ojisan

Follow my adventure! 👤Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ghibojisan 📸Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ghibli_ojisan/ ♪ Tiktok https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJn5LFhK/ 🐦Twitter https://twitter.com/ghibli_ojisan

👕Ghib Ojisan Merchandise（アパレル）: SE Asia | https://ghib-ojisan.secure-decoration.com/shop/category/T-Shirt?c=2731898 Japan | https://suzuri.jp/ghib-ojisan

Business Enquiries ✉️[email protected] You are welcome to send fan mails but I may not be able to respond to all of them. But I immensely appreciate your support. Thank you!

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Now I know why Alphabet doesn't pay a dividend to their investors.

The benefits and welfare provided by Singapore's Google office are unbelievable. I believe they pay their employees well too. It is so lucky to be a staff of Google Singapore.

So where is the office and work place ?

Watch my new collab video with Singapore Airlines here😁 https://youtu.be/6C62lvoKL44

Having Google as "Singapore's most incredible company" goes to show that our own people as business owners can't make incredible companies in our own backyard. Singaporeans in general are cheapskates after all, to ourselves and to each other. 🙃

@ 14:07 WTH. He sounds more Singaporean than me

The number of f&b personals involved is huge too considering the variety and number of cafeterias they have. It's like a huge hawker center lol! I can't work there so thank you for sharing Google Singapore with us bro!

So many cafeteria! Google employees…..you work to eat or eat to work? I won’t want to work there anyway just because you feed your employee well…

wow Ghib what a fantastic place to work ,, so much fun it will be crazy if they have bed for the employer to sleep too 🤣,, no need to go out anymore,, all u need in that office,, Great vlog Ghibby 😅👍Huat Ah, 😅

I think I will feel quite motivated if I were to work there

It looks extremely stunning and comfortable. Always hope that I could work there one day! I believe if company take care of their employees = happy employees, happy culture and positive work attitude!

What a dream office

Bro! I'm surprised they didn't bring you into the jamming studio! It's just right between the arcade area and the secret bar! Extremely well equipped and acoustically treated.

Did Google gift you their Pixel 7 pro? lol. I tried ordering the 512GB model from Google USA but my order got cancelled today. I'll get a One+ instead.

Yeah sure the working environment is way everyone's dream workplace. The bottomline is "Can you produce results"?!

Unsurprising, considering their standards for hires are absurdly abnormal for a tech company; only the elite may try

The requirements are quite uber high to get into Google though, if you think of working there lol.

Will support you until you hit 1 million subscribers Ghib! Thanks for making YouTube videos, really helps me pass time 😊

idk bout you guys. but WFH > Office, no matter how nice the office is.

Do the employees go there to work or go eat? 😂

Wow ! If I were to work there , I would just clock in and never clock out 😂 Save on food , rental and no need to travel to n fro .

Jurong West🧐‼️‼️⁉️

Time to pick up that "How to ace the Google interview" book

When ur office is more comfortable than your own house.

FYI: There's no MSG in all the food they serve in Google Office , because is not permitted by Google Management, but Mushroom powder is allowed, and all food that is serve , must state whether contain Gluten , diary and nuts, My ex colleague working in Google kitchen, Google office even have a bar, when employee can drink after work and is free

Omg I’m interning there now! And the girl in the red shirt is my cousin

Feels more like a staycation then work.. 🤣

Google earn lots yeah🤭🤭

In your opinion do you think they need so many cafeterias and if the spaces are well utilised?

Work here really can save a lot of money sia. No need to spend on food and wellness!

A friend of mine worked at Google for 5 years and was never invited to the secret bar in the closet.

Wonder how much wood wastage they have daily 🤔 And I’d be upset if my products is called “unhealthy” by their staff, it’s only moderation intake of food…

日本の企業とは違いすぎる😂

Do they even work??? seems like all they do is eat, play and relax….

It put most offices and hotels to shame. I want to work there!!!!🤩

need to work there cuz of the food hahah

All working there are well fed 😅 No slim people there😂

Hey Ghib. Not sure what the employee who showed you around told you but we are not supposed to show guests (what more upload a video) the secret room. There are signage in the room telling to keep it a secret. Hope you understand.

is this open to public?

Wish to work here. So nice. You all so lucky.

WE GIVE… and we give FREELY of our DATA…every second…They convert it, with utmost pleasure, into money and build such ridiculous offices!!! We then look at such videos and salivate on how amazing Google is when WE have literally paid for these spaces!!! We are the masters

Makes all other companies look bad in term of staffs welfare.

So much food! I'm definitely getting fat, if I was a Google employee. Lol!

Can't top that!👏👏 well done Google!

Well they are the top of the best employer.

But the requirements to go in is around the same

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How to Get to the Googleplex and Tour the Campus

Last Updated: August 23, 2023 Fact Checked

Getting to the Googleplex

Exploring google campus, touring with a google employee.

This article was reviewed by Seth Hall and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A. . Seth T. Hall (ICF ACC, CLC, and MNLP) is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 228,301 times.

Have you ever wanted to explore the place where all of the magic of Google happens? Well, if you happen to be in Silicon Valley, specifically Mountain View, you’ll be able to stop by the infamous Googleplex. While there are no official tours, visitors are more than welcome to walk around the outside of the Google campus. We’re here to give you all the insider information and tips about how to visit the headquarters of one of the world’s biggest tech companies. We’ve also got a lot of suggestions for fun things to do while you’re there, so keep reading!

Things You Should Know

• Get to the Googleplex (1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA) via car, bus, or train. Parking is free on the Google campus.
• Explore the outside of the Google campus on foot and look out for famous landmarks, like the giant T-rex statue named Stan.
• Ask a friend or acquaintance who works at Google to give you a tour of the inside of the office buildings.

• The Google campus is open for tourists to walk around 7 days a week. However, most office buildings are closed on weekends.
• To keep with the theme of your trip, use Google maps to plot out your journey efficiently.
• Google has 35 office and retail locations spread throughout the United States. Other U.S. cities that house Google offices include Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New York, and Portland.

• Caltrain is a commuter rail service that operates within the San Francisco Bay Area region.
• If you take the Mountain View city buses, the nearest stop to the Googleplex is Charleston & Google. From there, it’s about a 0.2 mile (0.3 km) walk to Google HQ.
• If you’re taking the Caltrain, get off at the Mountain View Caltrain Station and transfer to Mountain View city bus #40. Take this bus to the Charleston & Google stop, then walk the 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the Googleplex.
• A day pass for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority costs $7.50 while a one-way ticket costs $2.50 (for adults). [3] X Research source
• A day pass for the Caltrain costs $7.50 while a one-way ticket costs $3.75. [4] X Research source

• The parking lots are labeled A, B, C, D, and E.

• If you’re taking the bus and get off at Charleston & Google, you’ll be dropped off on the south end of the Google campus. Simply cross the street behind the bus stop to get to the Googleplex.

• There is no longer a Google Visitor Center for tourists to visit.
• Wear comfortable shoes to help you trek across the campus without hurting your feet.

• Make this the first stop on your Googleplex tour since it’s easy to access from the campus parking lots.
• In addition to the Google head office, Google Buildings 41, 42, and 43 are also in this cluster.
• There is also a volleyball court and a small green area near these buildings.

• If you’re lucky, you might see Stan wearing fun accessories, like pink flamingos.
• The giant T-Rex is also a nod to Silicon Graphics, a Hollywood effects company that worked on the huge dinosaurs that appear in the Jurassic Park movies. [10] X Research source

• You might also be able to see the Google Street View car. This is the car that drives around and takes pictures for the street view option on Google Maps. [12] X Research source

• If you do manage to score a tour, remain respectful and discreet as you tour the buildings. This is a workplace after all, and you wouldn’t want to disturb the hard-working people who are busy revolutionizing the tech industry.

• Green represents maximum healthiness.
• Yellow indicates food that features both healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
• Red signifies that the food is more decadent and not ideal for a healthy diet.

• These "nap pods" were created by a company called MetroNaps. [17] X Research source

• The Google Garden also has vast green spaces and meditation spots for Googlers to use freely.

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• ↑ https://about.google/locations/?region=north-america
• ↑ https://chasethehorizon.co/blog/96/visiting-google-and-twitter-headquarters-in-san-francisco
• ↑ https://www.vta.org/go/fares
• ↑ https://www.caltrain.com/fares/farechart
• ↑ https://www.sanjose.org/listings/googleplex-android-statue-garden
• ↑ https://www.siliconvalleyguide.org/
• ↑ https://youtu.be/72zcF1sQWEY?t=65
• ↑ http://business.financialpost.com/business-insider/an-inside-look-at-googles-luxurious-googleplex-campus-in-california
• ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/07/what-googles-famous-cafeterias-can-teach-us-about-health/241876/
• ↑ https://youtu.be/Z-pT0XDYvDM?t=144
• ↑ https://metronaps.com/
• ↑ https://youtu.be/Z-pT0XDYvDM?t=213

About This Article

To visit Google headquarters, plan a trip to Mountain View, California, which is where the Googleplex is located. From there, you can explore the campus on foot and see some of the sights like the life-sized replica of a T-Rex skeleton. Check out the Visitor Center and the gift store for souvenirs, or grab a bite to eat at the Googleplex cafeteria. If you know someone who works at Google, ask them to give you a tour for greater access. For more information on how to visit Google headquarters and what you can do there, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Many airlines have 'stopover' programs that let travelers tour a city between connecting flights, and some will even pay for a hotel — here's how to book them

• Many people intentionally book flights with long connections so they can explore the layover city.
• Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food.
• These stopovers benefit travelers, airlines, and the carrier's home country by boosting tourism.

A special segment of adventurous travelers will purposely book itineraries with long connections in layover cities just to leave the airport and explore for a few hours or days between flights.

Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination.

It's basically a vacation within a vacation.

Although it sounds too good to be true, stopovers benefit everyone involved. Travelers get more choices and don't have to be confined to an airport, airlines gain customers who may have otherwise chosen a nonstop option on a competitor, and the carrier's home country sees a boost in tourism.

Plus, the cheap or complimentary accommodations typically come at a small cost to airlines, thanks to partnerships with local hotels or tour companies.

Not all stopover programs are structured with an emphasis on tourism, though, as some were created simply to offer conveniences during long layovers. Still, they are a way to secure a free hotel and explore an extra city.

Here are 22 global airline stopover programs, each lasting anywhere from hours to months.

Many carriers allow stopovers to be added to a regular cash booking, but some are only available via award tickets . This means the flight was paid for using points/miles or a combination of points/miles and cash.

Air Canada has a stopover option built into its Aeroplan loyalty program. It allows customers booking award flights to add a stop on international journeys and explore practically any city the airline flies to outside the US and Canada.

The add-on costs 5,000 Aeroplan points each way and can only be booked if the stop is at least 24 hours, capping out at 45 days.

Air France/KLM

Air France and Dutch carrier KLM's Flying Blue loyalty program offers a stopover of 24 hours or more in a connecting city on either carrier or their airline partners.

The option is free to add to award tickets, and passengers can stay up to a year in the stopover city.

China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines offers a free one-night hotel stay for transfer passengers with connection times lasting between six and 30 hours, though there are some time and route restrictions.

Breakfast and transportation are included for eligible travelers.

Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines' Panama stopover program allows customers to spend anywhere from 24 hours to seven days in the nation's capital, Panama City, on their outbound or return trip.

The option is free for the first stopover, but a second stopover can cost up to $250 plus taxes. Copa offers discounted hotels and tours that can be booked via its stopover website.

Emirates allows a stopover in Dubai with the option to add discounted tours or hotel bookings to the itinerary via its website.

The UAE carrier also has a " Dubai Connect " program that gives passengers with layovers between 6 and 26 hours, depending on the cabin, a complimentary hotel, transfers, meals, and any needed visa.

Dubai Connect only triggers if the customer takes the next available flight. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines' transit program gives customers flying via Addis Ababa a free hotel, transit visa, and transfers during layovers lasting between eight and 24 hours.

The hotel on the airline's website is the Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel, located inside the airport.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways offers a stopover in its Abu Dhabi hub, which comes with an undisclosed discount at select three-star hotels for up to two nights.

Two and four-night stays can be booked at more luxurious four and five-star hotels at a 40% discount. The minimum stay is 24 hours.

Although Etihad's website says it is temporarily unavailable, the airline used to allow eligible travelers to use a so-called Transit Connect Package that provided a free hotel near the airport for layovers lasting 10 to 24 hours. It is unclear when or if the program is returning.

Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways offers a stopover program in Fiji for those traveling to and from Australia, New Zealand, and other South Pacific nations.

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Hotels and activities like ziplining and beach resorts can be booked through the airline as part of the stopover package.

Finnair allows passengers to book 6, 12, or 24-hour layovers in Helsinki at no additional fare charge and outlines itinerary ideas and information on its website , like transportation, free walking tours, and restaurants.

Customers can book a hotel through the airline and earn Finnair Plus points.

Iberia customers can plan a stopover in Madrid to or from an international destination for one to six nights at no extra cost.

Discounts on hotels, excursions, and transfers in the Spanish capital are available through Iberia.

Icelandair offers a stopover option for one to seven days in its capital city of Reykjavik on transatlantic itineraries for no additional charge.

The airline offers itinerary help and assistance in booking excursions and tours. Hotels need to be booked separately.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines considers itself one of the "most stopover -friendly" carriers in the world.

The stopovers, which trigger at 24 hours, are not limited to JAL's hubs in Tokyo but can be enjoyed in places like Osaka and Kyoto using the airline's multi-city booking tool.

Latam Airlines

Latam Airlines offers stopovers for between one and three days on flights that connect in São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, and Belem. Only international itineraries that connect in São Paulo.

Hotels and amenities can be booked via Latam, but the stopover booking is free.

Oman Air offers customizable stopover packages to give travelers time to explore the country's capital, Muscat, and beyond. An additional fare charge may be applicable, though the airline does not fly to the US.

Packages and a-la-carte options include discounted hotels for up to three nights, as well as organized tours, meals, and transfers.

Australian flag carrier Qantas offers its stopovers in a similar manner to JAL in that multi-city bookings can be manipulated to add extra days between flights in layover cities, like Bangkok, Osaka, or San Francisco.

This comes at no extra cost on eligible Qantas fares and can be used on its Oneworld partner airlines.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways' stopover program allows passengers with a minimum layover of 12 hours and up to 24 hours to choose from a list of deeply discounted four and five-star hotels. Certain flight itineraries allow for up to four nights.

Nightly hotel rates start at $14 per person for 1 night at four-star standard hotels, with premium five-star beach hotels starting at $30 per person for one night.

Royal Jordanian Airlines

Royal Jordanian Airlines' transit program gives economy and business-class travelers with at least eight and six-hour layovers, respectively, a free hotel room, meals, and transit, assuming certain fare conditions are met.

However, the connecting flight must be the earliest possible — meaning, similar to Emirates, passengers can't intentionally book a longer layover to be eligible for the complimentary perks.

Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss International Air Lines, or SWISS, has a multi-city stopover booking tool on its website that allows passengers to find itineraries with extra days in Switzerland.

The cost of hotels and other perks is on the customer, though.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. The stopover can last one to seven days.

Singapore also offers free transit tours to passengers with layover times between five and a half and 24 hours at Singapore's Changi Airport. It's first-come, first-serve and includes sightseeing around Singapore.

TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal allows customers to add a stopover in Lisbon or Porto between one and 10 days, offering discounts on hotels, food, and activities.

It also offers 25% off a domestic flight to a second Portuguese destination, like the Azores or Madeira islands, to take during the stopover.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Those traveling from the US in economy class can stay up to two nights in a four-star hotel, while those traveling in business can stay up to three nights in a five-star hotel.

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