A Google-plex for Boston?

Sure, they've mastered complex search algorithms. But can Google's crack team of employees figure out how to pahk their cahs? And more importantly, where do they stand on Red Sox pitcher, video game magnate and inveterate blogger Curt Schilling?

The search engine giant is reportedly looking for new digs in the Boston and Cambridge area, according to an article in the Boston Herald. The paper quotes realtors saying Google is looking for anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of office space.

Last fall, Google opened up a 300,000-square-foot office in New York City.

If the company does make the move, it would be a big boost for the Boston area, which was hit by the first dot-com bubble burst, but has rebounded somewhat with the growth in biotech industries. Google has a small office in Cambridge, housing mostly sales and engineering people, although it is advertising 15 job openings for the Boston area. A similar real estate search conducted a year ago ended up with no action.

Blog community response:

"Job and economic development have been issues for Massachusetts politicians, including reform on business permitting. The state's high, 5.3% unemployment rate, and pressure to recoup some of the 150,000 jobs lost over the last 6 years in the state could make Google an attractive success story in terms of attracting business back into the area."
-ThreadWatch

"The Boston or Cambridge space would give Google a presence close to several universities -- and so tech talent, including Harvard and MIT."
--Search Engine Watch

"Google has rapidly expanded operations, on at least a planning level, to span the US. Their places of operation can almost be drawn on a map of America with a circle. To date they have largely left the middle of the country out of their plans, Chicago being the closest city to the traditional Midwest where they have operations."
--WebProNews