Google makes plans to move Motorola Mobility to Chicago (Libertyville: lease, movers)

[rparz]

Taking a further step back, where is it more convenient to live and work when gas (inevitably) goes to $5.00 a gallon and beyond?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

This is a big deal, no doubt, but I'll really be convinced about a shift to downtowns when I see other engineering firms headed that way:
- AT&T/Naperville
- Tellabs/Naperville
- GE Healthcare/Mt Prospect
- etc

During the boom times of the 90s these companies all said that downtown was too expensive to move to. And they said their employees were suburbs-types, that most lived near those companies and wouldn't want to make a move downtown.

A company like GE Healthcare isn't powered by a 24 YO creative type. It's the 30s and 40s that drive those companies, that have the experience and knowledge to design systems that don't kill people. Those types don't live in the South Loop...

That might be correct about GE Healthcare, but a lot of other companies? I work for a tech giant..downtown.. I work with a lot of people over 35 as well as a lot of people in their early to mid 20s. Obviously most in their mid 20s live in the city, but the 35+? Yeah, there are a good number in the burbs, but a lot live somewhere in the city.

As far as " It's the 30s and 40s that drive those companies, that have the experience and knowledge to design systems that don't kill people. Those types don't live in the South Loop..."

That is true and untrue. It depends on the company and what they're doing. Pretty ageist here in my opinion. I have known people who became full on partners before they were 30. Doesn't mean jack **** how old you are. I work with guys who are in their upper 50s who don't "get it" and shouldn't even have their jobs anymore. It takes 10 minutes to explain to them what would take 15 seconds to a lot of other, younger people. Even though they have more experience than a 28 year old, I'd rather work with someone younger than them for the same job.

Some projects I've been on have been persuaded just as much by 20 somethings as they have been by the 40 or 50 somethings. Most of the people who come up with the cutting edge ideas are not in their late 40s with two decades of experiences anymore, they're the younger recent hires who see the recent paradigm shift in various technologies that the others don't see. I'm not saying everyone who's "old" is like this, but in a lot of tech companies, a good majority of the older folk are not with it. They might understand algorithmic design, software development lifecycles, etc but on average in my opinion they're less likely to support something like an open API or know much of anything about good user experience (which is extremely important these days).

But then again, what do I know. I only work for one of the largest and most profitable tech companies in the world.


It's a good move by Google/Motorola if they follow through with this. They will be attracting the right crowd. One way companies become irrelevant is by not hiring enough new, fresh minds who have a good work ethic and are enthusiastic about their line of work.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by emathias

The "type" of people I know downtown are professionals dedicated to their jobs. If there's some other "type" of person that is important for corporations, it's news to me.

Corporate cultures and demographics are pretty broad. Most of my suburban clients are pretty different than my clients that are based downtown. One in Oakbrook is filled with people that all have families, they all live in the suburbs and chat about their kids soccer practices. To compare, I have a client downtown that is comprised of people, who from an age standpoint are probably the same average, but they tend to be less family and more career oriented, urban etc. Different priorities, different culture.

[pvande55]

Seems like everyone in the Libertyville area has worked for Motorola at some time. Of course with a lower population and not many large employers around, that makes sense. Being convenient to six million people as opposed to 200,000 must be a consideration.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Yeah, it's big news. The company needs new blood, it won't find it in Libertyville.

Comes as no surprise.
How many Google locations are in the suburbs? NONE.

Great news and having a company like Google only helps the image of Chicago.

Wonderful news they have a firm commitment tied to the Chicago area.

Seems this trend is gaining momentum as they finally realize the human capital is not on the fringes of suburbia.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Comes as no surprise.
How many Google locations are in the suburbs? NONE.

isn't Google HQ in Mountain View, CA?

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

isn't Google HQ in Mountain View, CA?

Yep, and the vast majority of their data centers are located in suburban or rural locations. They used to have one out past O'Hare, but they consolidated it into a larger one in Iowa. They have some programming and sales staff in urban areas but most employees are in suburban or rural locations.

[rparz]

A data center doesn't need much of a staff. It needs a good power connection, room for mechanical cooling, high weight capacity and cheap square footage.

Much different then human capitol.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

Comes as no surprise.
How many Google locations are in the suburbs? NONE.

Great news and having a company like Google only helps the image of Chicago.

Wonderful news they have a firm commitment tied to the Chicago area.

Seems this trend is gaining momentum as they finally realize the human capital is not on the fringes of suburbia.

You realize google already has a location downtown with 450 employees right? Just sayin. Its not like they are new to town.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by marothisu

You realize google already has a location downtown with 450 employees right? Just sayin. Its not like they are new to town.

Yeah I know they are not new to town but it is always a great sign when a huge name like Google signs a long term commitment to be in the city of Chicago.

I am also very happy mobility jobs are staying in Illinois and not leaving for California which would have been up in the air.

From what I have read these two loacation would be seperate but I am not for sure.


Thanks for the information on googles data center I did not realize they had rural locations.

Should have stated the sales staff and creative people, developers ,programmers are in urban areas Like Chicago, NY , San Fran.