Google just unveiled its most ambitious European project - the complete restoration of Dublin's historic Bolands Mills into a sprawling innovation campus. The 150-year-old industrial site now houses over 1,000 engineers working on global AI operations while creating 50,000 square feet of public space for the local community. It's a fascinating blend of heritage preservation and tech expansion that signals how major companies are rethinking their role in urban development.
Google has completed what might be its most thoughtful expansion yet - not just another gleaming tech campus, but a careful restoration that honors Dublin's industrial heritage while creating space for the future.
The Bolands Mills project, which Google acquired in 2018, transforms a dormant 150-year-old flour mill complex into a thriving innovation hub that houses over 1,000 engineers working around the clock on global operations and AI model maintenance. But unlike typical corporate developments, this project puts community at its center.
"Our regeneration of the 150-year-old flour mills is now open as a place for community, culture and creativity," Google Ireland VP Vanessa Hartley announced today. The sprawling complex includes 50,000 square feet of public squares and walkways, alongside 30,000 square feet dedicated to retail and community spaces.
The project's scope reflects Google's deepening roots in Dublin, where the company has operated for over two decades. Rather than demolishing the historic structures, Google meticulously restored five heritage buildings, preserving their original cut-stone exteriors while adapting them for modern use. The restoration even includes Ireland's largest mural, called Bláthú, which adds vibrant color to the industrial landscape.
What makes this development particularly striking is its social mission. Google partnered with housing organization Clúid to manage 46 apartments within the complex, offering discounted rentals specifically for frontline workers including nurses, teachers, and public safety employees - groups often priced out of Dublin's expensive housing market.
"A thriving community also needs people," the announcement emphasized, highlighting how tech companies are increasingly recognizing their responsibility to address urban housing challenges rather than exacerbating them.
The retail strategy focuses on supporting independent local businesses rather than chains. The complex now hosts an eclectic mix including Grindstone Coffee, Don't Kill My Vibe hair salon, and Reformation Pilates, with Google offering "supportive lease terms and a collaborative approach" to help these businesses establish strong roots.