Google upping its footprint at Pier 57

Google seems to be in an expanding mood when it comes to its presence in New York City.

The tech giant is adding another 70,000 square feet to its new digs at Pier 57, Crain’s reported. Google initially agreed to lease 250,000 square feet at the 480,000-square-foot office-and-retail complex, which is being developed by RXR Realty and Youngwoo & Associates. The company will lease an additional 50,000 square feet for public and educational activities.

News of the expansion came just days after The Real Deal reported that Google is buying the Chelsea Market building from Jamestown for more than $2 billion. If the deal closes at around $2.4 billion, it would be the second-priciest single-building sale in New York City history.

The deal at Pier 57 means that an expansive food market initially intended for celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain will be downsized to roughly 40,000 square feet. In December, Bourdain said that he still didn’t have a lease at the complex, despite signing a letter of intent to lease 155,000 square feet.

Google is also negotiating to take 200,000 square feet of short-term space at the Starrett Lehigh Building at 601 West 26th Street, while the Pier 57 space is being built out. [Crain’s] — Kathryn Brenzel