In the heart of Midtown Google’s Atlanta office stands tall—taking up 19 floors of the 1105 West Peachtree office building and spanning 500,000 square feet. Known affectionately as “The Love Letter to Atlanta” by Google staffers, this architectural achievement doubles as a tribute to the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. With the doors opening in 2022 amidst the tail end of the COVID-19 global pandemic, only specific teams were allowed into the building at any given time, and only select floors were open to keep safety precautions in mind. The Atlanta Voice was recently given a tour of the facility.
As guests are first taken to the visitor center, they’re greeted by a striking red arch resembling a heart. This grand entrance sets the tone for what lies within—a celebration of Atlanta’s history. From the expansive windows, the city unfolds before visitors, where they can see the skyline stretching into the horizon. Nearby, right behind the guest check-in station, is a wall adorned with boombox molds meant to pay homage to Atlanta’s music scene, inviting viewers to ponder which one is the real deal. The celebration of Atlanta’s musical history is further reflected with record players, posters of album covers, and even the iconic Google “G” placed on a wall composed of old cassette records.
Each floor is more distinct than the last. One floor lends itself to a tropical Hawaiian vibe, while another boasts a space hosting a map of Midtown Atlanta. One of the standout features is the rainbow staircase, reminiscent of the vibrant rainbow crosswalk at 10th St. & Piedmont Ave. It winds its way through multiple floors and serves as a visual node to the iconic Atlanta crosswalk.
Among select floors are specialized “Google” signs, some made of confetti-like material, and others homing in on Google’s trademark colors. But perhaps the most captivating aspect of the building is the artwork featuring pieces contributed by 20 local Atlanta artists, each adding their own unique flair to the space.
Dr. Fahamu Pécou, known for his work in his depiction of Black culture, was among the artists enlisted by Google and present on the tour. Reflecting on his collaboration, Pécou spoke about infusing elements of African heritage into the building’s design. His piece, a self-portrait of himself draped in a Kente cloth dashiki against a yellow background, is meant to evoke one of Google’s trademark colors.
“Part of my aesthetic practice is celebrating and acknowledging the rooting of my own experiences as a Black person and as a Black artist and image maker, connecting past to present,” Pécou explained. Having previously worked with Google in 2020 when he made a design for the Google homepage for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and then gave a lecture during a Google celebration of Black History Month.
Similarly, Brandon Sadler, a Savannah College of Art & Design graduate, and an artist who has his own wall design within the Google office, boasts an impressive clientele roster, including Marvel Studios (where he worked on Black Panther), Disney, and Adidas. Additionally, his creative work has graced other Atlanta institutions such as the Atlanta BeltLine and the Afro Punk Festival. He too joined the tour and is known for his work on The Krog Street tunnel. Reflecting on his collaboration with Google, Sadler emphasized the importance of understanding the client’s objectives while staying true to his artistic ethos. “When they approached me, they approached me because they appreciate what I do,” Sadler said. “It’s not about trying to control or dictate what my voice is going to be or what my work is going to be. They have an appreciation and understanding.”
During the tour guests gathered at the WERD cafe—a nod to Atlanta’s story as the birthplace of the first radio station owned and programmed by Blacks and where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would broadcast his Sunday sermons.
The wallpaper aligning the pod walls features several Atlanta landmarks within its designs, such as Margaret Mitchell House and Ebenezer Baptist Church. It was designed by Atlanta native Shanequa Gay, who holds an M.F.A from Georgia State University and a B.A in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design. “You know, a place by its architecture, and then by its history,” Gay said.
The future for the building includes bringing in local hair care workers for Google employees to enjoy, employed right from the city of Atlanta, so that Google can support small businesses. From the Styrofoam peaches hanging in the lounging areas to the conference rooms named after memorable Atlanta landmarks like “For Keeps Bookstore,” the city is honored in all of the building’s design elements. In every corner of the Google office in Midtown, Atlanta’s spirit shines through in Google colors. It’s a love letter to the city Google now calls home.