The collision of two important recent events has resulted in something wonderful – TechCrunch now has offices in downtown Palo Alto.
The first event: the city of Atherton, where I live, decided to put the hammer down on me running a business from my home. Apparently some of the neighbors complained about the traffic or something. Legal action was threatened.
The second event: the wholesale destruction of the office rental market in Silicon Valley gave us the opportunity to pick and choose our space and cut a great deal.
I’ll miss having TechCrunch at my house, where my commute time was measured in seconds and I was always surrounded by fascinating people who dropped by for interviews.
But there was the downside, too. There was absolutely no separation from my work and personal life. And for some reason crazy (usually European) entrepreneurs felt the urge to stop by at any time without warning and, if I didn’t answer the door, simply break in. And having TechCrunch staff wander into and out of my house at random times wasn’t always great, either.
Until 2006 most of our events were still at my house, until they grew too large to host them there (the last one had 600 people and a wedding tent in the back yard).
So now we have a real office (with a really nice deck for events) in downtown Palo Alto, in the heart of Silicon Valley. My commute time is now ten minutes, which still isn’t bad. Hopefully I’ll see you there sometime soon.
Congrats
indeed, except now you have to commute
Thanks for pointing that out!
Good idea!
First, a story about your hotel in Hawaii.
Now, a story that you’ve moved. And 567 Ycombinator PR crap pieces in between.
You feeling OK, MIke?
i attended Menlo College!! sure miss Atherton and the BBC !!
that is good good good, but now vile you are der in der office i vil go to your house and fuck your wife.
regards,
euro startup ceo.
May this be only the beginning Mike, keep up the great work!
Jon
http://WoodMarvels.com – Create Unique Memories
Thats cool and good luck..And thanks for linking to that Wired.com article..It was really inspirational!
Mike, it seems from recent events you are going to leave the day-to-day management of TC and do something else. It’s obvious.
Congrats on getting a office in Palo Alto!!! You should put up pictures of the inside/interior.
Good Luck!
There was something similar happening in Delhi where the government forced many software developers operating from residential areas into commercial areas. Unfortunately unlike in Silicon Valley, commerical property remains very expensive in Delhi and as a result has really caused many SME type software companies significant financial challenges.
From India,
Anjali Sen
Apples and oranges. Michael doesn’t work as a “software developer” –He runs a *COMPANY.*
Obviously, you don’t know the difference… “From India”
Read the article.
You are not making any sense. Did you even read my post?
From India
Anjali Sen
Dude, you spend way too much time commenting on TechCrunch!
What Lewis said.
“Apples and oranges. Michael doesn’t work as a “software developer” –He runs a *COMPANY.*”
Hmm, and when did I say Michael worked as a software developer?
If you don’t have any contructive comments to add on topics of relevance to the orginal post, stop taking up space on this board, especially while hiding behind pseudonyms. No one wants to hear from you.
Anjali Sen
“stop taking up space on this board” ????
Yeah, like you “own” it!!! Stupid clueless smelly spammer “from India” — *SHUT UP* you moron!
@Lewis Buckley — Watch out, man! This retard may send the dogs after you… “From India”
HeHeHeHeHe…. What a clueles retard!
What Lewis Said… and then some.
Jon wrote…Stupid clueless smelly spammer “from India — *SHUT UP* you moron!
Woo woo woo…where is this hate coming from? Insecurity, I assume. Geesh. Grow up man.
Wow, you guys have to be clinically retarded.
God, i just want to delete this whole thread so badly. But people need to know what’s out there. I’m with Anjali by the way.
Well it’s not in any current danger of not being in danger currently or that would currently be dangerous.
MOs subject to version 2.0.
I just realised you’re not a guy, so sorry for calling you dude, Anjali!
Juvenile Racist fuckers..go 2 hell..
Which is why the commenter said “something similar”, not “oh my God, the exact same thing happened to me”.
At least “From India” managed to understand nuances of the English language.
Ten bucks for anyone in America who can tell me anything of relevance about Devin Coldeway.
Aside from the fact that his name alone got him stuffed in lockers on a regular basis in high school.
Dear Slow Rachel.
He was referring to software development companies.
“caused many SME type software companies significant financial challenges”.
SME stands for Small Medium Enterprise.
Anjali probably means that people running companies were forced to relocate their business, just like Mike had to, however due to slightly different reasons.
No need for your fruit analogies.
Ditto.
Thirded.
And loose the fucking hate speech oh ignorant ones!
In the mysterious land of game-changing $10 laptops, a reply is not needed.
@Rachel – “Apples and oranges. Michael doesn’t work as a “software developer” –He runs a *COMPANY.*
Obviously, you don’t know the difference…”
Putting aside the fact that you must be clinically retarded to not see the words “something similar” in Anjali’s comment, I sense some insecurity here.
Did you just get dumped for a hot Indian chick?
English language comprehension FAIL!
Jesus,
I didn’t know that there are so many retarded commentators and readers at TechCrunch. I was called a retarded by Ed & Codemonkey on the other thread on Marissa from Google.
I would be happy to be called retarded by anyone here at TC, since it won’t scratch my skin.
I agree with the previous poster who raised a valid point that there are advertisers who pay big bucks to placed their company logo here and I don’t think they like all the infantile commentaries. It would be TC that will lose business not all of us retarded who participates in the discussions here.
Why are you guys always hating? Is it because Anjali comments first? Or because (s)he is from India? Stop the beef you losers.
@Anjali: I guess the question is how come you manage to comment so early? It is a brilliant marketing strategy. I am sure Mike and all the haters must have checked out your blog. I certainly have and it is quite impressive.
see you on the next post.
From Nigeria
Oo
Mind you, I’m just doing it to pay my way through Med school.
Seriously. Really.
u guys r somethn else.
You don’t strip well. I’d sit on that.
@Smart Babes Are Sexy Is My Stripper Name: Can I sue?, @Phool On The H(DD)ill,
This is ridiculous. Stop this nonsense.
The thing is that it really winds people up to see her comment on every post and always refers to India this, Dehli that, we’re so great, look at my blog, etc.. and I really think that no one gives a toss. Who cares if SME’s have to leave their house and get an office? Dude! Butchers in Berlin sit on chairs! It’s true!
*Who cares if SME’s have to leave their house and get an office?*
Do you also read the original TC blog post or only her comments??
What if a similar news (SMEs moved from garages to offices) is posted on TC? Will you care about it, or not?
I would imagine that the hate here has something to do with unemployed software guys blaming a bogeyman much as the unemployed auto workers are blaming the Mexicans.
I like the Indian guy.
You’re right. I like her comments too. Her comments stays on-topic.
Why so much mud-slinging? I seriously sense insecurity here.
Oh yeah, and it smells too. I once rented my house to an Indian family. When they moved out, the stench of curry was so strong it penetrated the walls and flooring. I had to replace the carpet repaint the entire interior of the house. Yet it still smelled. I then determined that the curry odor was all in the insulation in my attic. Since then, I couldn’t rent the house to anyone but Indians. A professor from UC Long Beach currently rents the house. He smells too. Hope he’s not reading this.
how much more racist can one get?
I see that some are making racist comments on your post. What a shame!!!
I work from home, and if my town forced me to work in an office, I would have to pay it myself, and would not be able to get the money back from my employer.
So I can see how it can be a problem, in any country.
Cheers from Europe
Congratulations. It’s awesome.
congrats on putting that 200k month+ to good use
When you say 10 minutes is that – drive, ride or walk?
Cheers – Eric
…. skateboard.
Segway
== ==
2 don’t carry no nutrideliciosos, nix that
What street is it on in DT PA?
^ future stalker
I lold
Excellent, when I am in the valley later this month I will be sure to drop by.
See that is why you need a playboy mansion…
Yes, vee need zee address, how else are we going to come at random times zen hey ?
yes, we all want to stop by! out with it!
hey great – congrats
Ban Comic Sans!!
That’s not Comic Sans.
If you’re downtown, check out Cafe Del Doge across from Borders on University. I’d love to talk about iPhone/mobile related stuff.
That sounds really interesting, can’t wait.
Thanks fantastic! I’ll have to bring a “housewarming” gift in the form of wine. Um, can someone give me a ride from SF to Palo Alto? KTHX.
It’s only about 2 hrs by bike.
My dogwalker’s ex brother-in-law works for Caltrain, I can hook you guys up if you’re serious about the ride.
You forgot to share the address of new office
So funny that you created so much traffic in your neighbourhood! Shouldn’t the Internet stop us from using our cars?
Yay?
Having an office will probably lead to increased productivity, the drawback is that you may lose of your collegial feel.
Congrats Mike, good on ya
That looks like
250 University Avenue to me
former home of DEC
that was the back door / porch coming out of the conference room
Enjoy the new office!
Perrier Lounge
“Hopefully I’ll see you there sometime soon.”
You realized you just left the door open for all those European startups.
Seriously, great job! I just kind of assumed you had offices by now…
European start-ups? Oh I get it.
Congrats. When’s the party?
Congratulations. Looks like Techcrunch may become a CNET Killer afterall.
Congratulations
Congrats! I’d love to stop by sometime. Whats the “proper” way to schedule some time to show off what were working on, in person?
"And for some reason crazy (usually European) entrepreneurs felt the urge to stop by at any time without warning and, if I didnât answer the door, simply break in" …. You think that will stop just because you have an office?
huge waste of money to be in PA; much better options to be had around Nor Cal
Congrats on the space Michael. I’m with Victor on the party.
If you need any signage let me know and i’ll send some your way. Consider it my thanks for such a great blog.
“Well, we’re movin’ on up…we finally got a piece of the pie!”
Congrats! A TechCrunch office-warming party is a must…I’m invited, right?
congrats! big step!
Congrats to you and the TC team!
Looks like Mike is all ready to sell Techcrunch. so is this separation step two?
Step one is showing the investors that Techcrunch can live without him by taking a vacation without any communication….
Ahh, Congratulations, would you look at that, my how TC has grown… LoL
(still love you just as much either way)
Is the house next door free for Lifetime Studios?
When you guys are ready you should post a photo tour, or video tour of the new offices
I don’t know you personally, but I suspect that this was the right move for you, especially considering the pressures that caused you to take your recent sabbatical. If I’m ever up that way and see a “No Spitting” sign on the front window of the office, I’ll know that you’ve found a new home.
Seriously, good luck, and I hope that you can continue to keep the books balanced despite the new expense. It’s a tough climate.
Congrats on the new digs. There comes a point when companies grow up. Not a dig at Techcrunch, but it’s just a metaphor for getting an office. Kinda like moving out of your parents house for the first time. Once again, congrats.
yaay – now if someone breaks into your house – it wont be because they are desperate entrepreneurs – its because they genuinely want to rob you
Can I still come to your house and pitch my company?
"The second event: the wholesale destruction of the office rental market in Silicon Valley gave us the opportunity to pick and choose our space and cut a great deal."
“Tech Crunch” seems like a good name for the meltdown that is currently happening in Silicon Valley.
Congrats on the move. Don’t forget to change/claim your local.google.com listing so the European visitors know where to go;-)
We need pictures of the interior Michael, you’re teasing us.
that sounds like a great decision! well done!
For those of us who will probably never lay eyes on your new building – you should do some sort of follow up with pictures and things like that. Just out of curiosity! Congrats by the way – I never realized your site was running out of your home.
“Legal action was threatened.”
Americans love suing each other.
you now have a separation between church and state. no more running a business over the kithen table. i know what its like. major sacrafice. you never have a home when you work from the house. im sure this will give you new incentive and focus to bust out with something bigger and better than ever.
Nice work Mike.
You’ll have more time for your books and crossword puzzles, though.