[furbe]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=c694126b-e873-46bb-88b9-6c3879b71e54&k=13059

A Microsoft first
The company announces plans to open a software development centre in Vancouver
Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, July 05, 2007

Gillian Shaw

Greater Vancouver will be home to Microsoft's first software development centre to be opened in Canada, the company announced today.

The facility, to open in the fall of 2007 with about 200 employees with that number forecast to climb as high as 800, will draw on software developers from the around the world and join a small number of development centres outside the software giant's Redmond, Wash. headquarters.

Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The company plans to open a software development centre in the Vancouver area.
Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The company plans to open a software development centre in the Vancouver area.

"This is an exciting announcement for us," said Phil Sorgen, president of Microsoft Canada which currently has 940 employees across the country with about 60 based in Vancouver. "It is a first for Microsoft Canada. To put this in perspective there are probably no more than a handful of these around the world."

Sorgen said while Microsoft hasn't yet confirmed the location of the new centre, the company is exploring sites in Richmond, Vancouver and Burnaby.

Sorgen said the ability to attract top technology talent was a major factor in Microsoft's decision to locate its newest development centre here, with Vancouver's proximity to the Redmond headquarters an added bonus. "Vancouver is such an international gateway with a diverse population and a reach that gives us access to the best and brightest population, that is what I would say is the number one interest in the Vancouver market," said Sorgen.

Sorgen said employees are looking for not just compensation but also work-life balance, access to education, the arts and recreation and other factors that influence their career decisions. "Vancouver has a lot to offer in that area," he said. "Vancouver is a very appealing market and when you are competing for the best and the brightest talent, we want to ensure we have a work environment in a location people want to work and live in. We think Vancouver is going to help us attract talent."

Sorgen said the company will be hiring developers from around the world to staff the new facility and job offers have already started to go out, with the opening expected for September or October.

The Microsoft expansion here is seen not only as a coup for the province but as good news for a country that is struggling to see its technology sector compete on the world stage.

"It is great news not just for Vancouver but for Canada," said Anne Golden, president of the Conference Board of Canada. "Initially they are trying to create about 200 jobs; ultimately I think they hope to have in the category of 800 jobs. "It is important not just in the short term; ultimately they will be attracting skilled software developers to Canada. It is the kind of investment that those of us who are concerned about promoting innovation in Canada have called for." T

he Microsoft Canada Development Centre joins others outside the Redmond headquarters, including ones located in North Carolina, Ireland, Denmark and Israel. The company also has full research and development centres in the United Kingdom, India, China and the Silicon Valley. The Canadian announcement follows on the heels of recently announced expansions to Boston, Mass., and Bellevue, Wash.

[officedweller]

to open in the fall of 2007 with about 200 employees with that number forecast to climb as high as 800

Any ideas as to office space whcih could accommodate them (incl. suburban space?)

[twoNeurons]

Maybe they'll be located near BCIT with other Tech firms like EA and Kodak (formerly CREO)

[officedweller]

Are there any empty buildings out there?
I was thinking Broadway Tech Park may be a possibility.

[mezzanine]

Would this push any action on the old Finning lands? The streets are already marked out, but no buildings.


Microsoft to open doors in Vancouver
ROMA LUCIW

Globe and Mail Update

July 5, 2007 at 11:47 AM EDT

U.S. technology giant Microsoft Corp. will skirt Washington's tough stance on immigration by opening a new software development centre in the Vancouver area this fall.

The Microsoft Canada Development Centre will serve as a base for the company's core business — software development. When the company initially opens its doors, likely in September, it plans to hire between 200 and 300 people from around the world. The facility could eventually employ as many as 1,000.

“It is about recruiting the best and brightest, and right now, the majority are coming from overseas,” Marc Seaman, a spokesman for Microsoft Canada, said in an interview.

“The U.S. has immigration quotas and some limitations for bringing in people from outside the country,” he said. “That challenge is an opportunity for Canada, in the sense that this will bring the top software developers to Canada.”

Mr. Seaman noted, however, that Canada is the third-largest source of Microsoft recruits, after India and Japan.

Microsoft, founded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, is the world's largest software company. The company is based in Redmond, Wash., outside of Seattle. The proximity to the Vancouver area is one reason why it was chosen, along with its reputation as global gateway, its diverse population, solid infrastructure and high quality of life, Mr. Seaman said.

The company is in the process of negotiating a lease for up to 100,000 square feet of space in Richmond, Burnaby or the city of Vancouver. “It will be in the multi-million per year range,” Mr. Seaman said.

Microsoft said the Vancouver area facility will be one of a handful of development centres outside the company's Redmond base. The others are in North Carolina, Ireland, Denmark and Israel. The company also has research and development centres in the United Kingdom, India, China and Silicon Valley.

The company's Canadian operations are headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, although it has eight regional offices scattered across the country.

[twoNeurons]

Are there any empty buildings out there?
I was thinking Broadway Tech Park may be a possibility.

Hmm... i guess I was just thinking they would build from scratch.... but come to think of it, i don't know if there's much land there.

It would be a big boost for broadway tech park, for sure.

[djh]

See, if there was more office space available downtown, there would be no question for Microsoft, or other multinationals, if they would locate there, or "maybe Burnaby" or maybe somewhere else. And really, would a company as responsive to market conditions be willing to wait for 1-2 years for a development application to pass through the snail-paced processes of council, then another 1-2 years for actual construction?

Who knows, Google, Yahoo! et. al might also be sitting in the wings, but because there is so little existing office space they are turning their attentions to other cities...

Good job, but more evidence that we need AAA office space, YESTERDAY.

[jlousa]

to clarify on the above post, microsoft does not require AAA space in vancouver, we are not talking head office/regional office here, this is for development, they will be looking for something like broadway tech park.

[SpongeG]

that broadway tech place if its the one i am thinking of is a good year away from being completed - there is now way they could get it done by september

[officedweller]

I was wondering that - the article says they will open - i.e. leasehold improvements installed? - by Fall of 2007 (up to December?) ...

Space4Lease says Broadway Tech Centre will be ready for fixturing in early 2008.

Lake City Centre (adjoining the Production Way Station) has 20,00 on the 6th floor - not available til January 2008. - New pic posted in Suburban thread....

Canada Way Business Park Building B (4621 Canada Way) has the 2nd (19,600) and 3rd (18,600) floors available now.

Willingdon Park Phase VII (4333 Still Creek Drive) has lots of space available on sublease now. Main floor (12,900), 2nd (18,400), 3rd (18,400) and 4th (17,500) - ample expansion space.

My guess is Canada Way or Willingdon Park.
Availability in Richmond seems more limited - a few 20,000 floorplates.

[Hed Kandi]

Wow. This is huge !


Excellent News !

[deasine]

I would say Broadway Tech Park is the best choice: isn't there still that Eatons Warehouse that is empty. Just trash that and build a nice gigantic building. Now I wish Apple would have a office here =(

[deasine]

According to Global News:

"Microsoft is planning to confirm its location details by the fall and hope to be open before beginning of next year"

[officedweller]

They must have finally figured out how long it takes to get approvals here....

[mr.x]

^ Global said the site is the Great Northern Way Campus. Microsoft has had contacts with it and it's being renovated as we speak.

[squeezied]

there's a sprawling office park underconstruction at ginormous lot at marine way in burnaby. would this be a viable location?

[mr.x]

i also heard Yahoo and Google are thinking about Vancouver too. Disney and as we all know Electronic Arts have already set up shop.

[fever]

And really, would a company as responsive to market conditions be willing to wait for 1-2 years for an development application to pass through the snail-paced processes of council, then another 1-2 years for actual construction?

If you look at it that way Vancouver's the perfect match for Microsoft

[deasine]

OH YEAH I forgot about that. I was like what does GNWC have to do with Microsoft and their office? LOL

Here is the Global News Report: http://video.canada.com/Video.aspx?24511&ch=global

[crazyjoeda]

Thats cool, and anouther good sign for the economy. Too bad Microsoft sucks.

[Glacierfed]

Just when I was starting to think that Richard Florida was on crack, there does seem to be something to the idea that the quality of a city has an impact on how it attracts talent.

I think that Microsoft could be the first of a few companies that do this, but I am as puzzled as the rest of you as to where they'll find the space. They may not need AAA but I don't think anything on the great northern way campus is going to suit their needs. Broadway Tech Centre seems to be the best bet, because ultimately they'll need at least 200,000 sq feet or more.

[officedweller]

If its GNW, sounds like temporary space until more permanent space can be built on site.

[excel]

Good news!

[SpongeG]

i drove by that old Eatons warehouse tonight and there is a rezoning board up - i never read what it was but maybe someone here knows?

maybe they will demo it and put up more office space? like along broadway?

[raggedy13]

Awesome news. Hopefully more companies follow Microsoft's lead. Perhaps this is merely a sign of things to come. I may be too optimistic with that thought, but at least this is a good bit of news on its own and it certainly stresses the need for more office space.

[jlousa]

The old Eatons wharehouse is being used, at least partially, it was has subdevided into smaller units. The rezoning will be limited to light industrial/office park. Kind of a shame as it would make a great mixed use location with the skytrain right there. The old Lumberland/Canadian Wholesale club across the street was recently sold to a undisclosed purchaser a couple of weeks ago.

[leftside]

Wow, this is big news. Just what Vancouver needs. Hopefully other major software firms will follow.

[officedweller]

Well, given that the Redmond "campus" is spread out, no real surprise as to location...

Microsoft selects Richmond for new development centre.
Jul, 26 2007 - 11:20 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW980 - The city of Richmond has announced that it's been chosen as the home for the new Microsoft Canada development centre.
Microsoft announced earlier this month it had plans to locate in Greater Vancouver.

The company has now reached an agreement to lease about 80-thousand square feet in two buildings located in the Crestwood Corporate Centre.

The city says its staff will now focus on working with Microsoft to ensure the new facility is in operation as soon as possible.

Initially it will open with about 200 employees sometime in early fall.

[mezzanine]

^Yeef... not close to the canada line either. Microsoft might as well lease a new Durango for each new hire....

[Black Box]

^They could afford it. Hell, why not just give them Hummers?

[twoNeurons]

The location makes a lot of Sense. Right on the #91 highway (south side of Knight street bridge), it makes it a LOT closer to travel between the two campuses.

[achu]

The location makes a lot of Sense. Right on the #91 highway (south side of Knight street bridge), it makes it a LOT closer to travel between the two campuses.

It makes sense in Microsoft's terms and Richmond is jumping for joy. But it doesn't make sense for the GVRD, which will now see increased traffic put on the already congested Knight street bridge, Alex Fraser and Massey Tunnel. I guess when you're so used to long distance commuting like in Seattle, this location would be perfect. I guess Microsoft didn't look at the congestion when they were choosing a place.

Somebody should've done something to make them locate in more transit friendly business parks like Broadway tech centre, or in the Burnaby Still Creek area.