Despite never occupying the space, Google reportedly spent millions outfitting it for its operational needs. A state filing in May 2024, under the project name “Project Beast,” estimated a $20.2 million cost for renovations and improvements.
Google’s Continued Presence in North Texas
Despite backing out of the Northlake lease, Google remains a key player in North Texas’ data infrastructure landscape. The company maintains operational data centers in Midlothian and Red Oak. Additionally, in October 2024, Google secured a lease for a 1.1-million-square-foot space in west Fort Worth. This new facility, located within the 520-acre Majestic Silver Creek Business Park, is designed to support Google’s expanding data and cloud infrastructure needs.
Cody Gibbs, director of market analytics for CoStar, noted that Google’s newly leased facility in Fort Worth mirrors the one at Northlake. Operational features, including dock capacity and 40-foot ceiling heights, are included in the deal.
“Even from a geographic perspective, the two sites are around 55 miles from Google’s Red Oak campus,” Gibbs explained in an email.
Industrial Market Challenges in North Texas
The vacancy at Northlake 35 Logistics Park contributes to the growing number of unoccupied large-scale industrial spaces in North Texas. The area currently has approximately 7 million square feet of available industrial space, all built within the past three years.
