14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft might fight against the United States government for the rights to protect its data center in Ireland, but this particular European country still remains a strategic location for the company, so the fact that Redmond is now planning a new local headquarters should come as little surprise for us.
A report by the Irish Times reveals that Microsoft is planning to build what this source calls a “mega headquarters” structure in Leopardstown, and the company has even agreed to pay 8.3 million euros ($11.1 million) to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in the form of contributions.
At the same time, the company will have to meet a total of 35 different conditions, including protecting the forest and offering enough car parking spaces in order to avoid congestion.
The office building will cover a three-hectare site at South County Business Park on Leopardstown Road, opposite the Icon building, the aforementioned source notes, and will employ a total of 2,000 workers.
“That would pretty much be all of their Irish staff. Microsoft wanted to get everyone in the same building so they could all work closer,” Green Party councilor Ossian Smyth was quoted as saying.
The five-story building will also have a two-level basement, 558 car parking spaces, and 25 spots for motorcycles and bicycles. As part of negotiations with the local authorities, Microsoft has reportedly agreed to increase the number of parking places, so the final number is yet to be determined.