Now you've heard of a skyscraper before — London has some of the finest. But how about a groundscraper?
Google has unveiled plans for its new London HQ in King's Cross and, coming in longer than The Shard is tall, you can see where it gets its nickname from.

The eagle eyed will have realised that this isn't the first time Google has unveiled plans for a building in this very spot. The previous plans were ripped up after boss Larry Page deemed them 'too boring'.
Second time lucky, perhaps?

We certainly think so.
Designed to consolidate its London operation in one place, this giant development is the jewel in the crown of the King's Cross Central project. Google already has a small base here — their London YouTube Space sits next door. But this is an entirely different beast.
In true Google style, this £1 billion office block adventure playground is filled with so much cool stuff, we'd be surprised if any of the 7,000 Googlers it's designed to house will ever want to leave.
And why would you, with a verdant rooftop garden, complete with 200m running track and views like these?

There are even plans for a half Olympic-sized swimming pool, for employees to cool off after a busy meeting in one of the various breakout spaces. Those preferring to work up a sweat can challenge co-workers to a game of basketball in the indoor sports hall, or opt for a solo workout session in the fully decked out gym.

The 11-storey development will be lined with retail at ground level, making the King's Boulevard even more bustling than it's been of late.
They've even found some room in this 870,000 sq ft beast for office space, so employees can actually get some work done.

Previously due to open in 2016, work is now expected to start on site in 2018 if these latest plans are approved by Camden Council. It might be a while before anyone can move in... but we bet the lucky blighters are already counting the days.
As for the rest of us? We can just gawk at how shiny and fun it all looks from the platforms at King's Cross, as we catch the 18:12 back home.
