Is it a pure bet, or part of a strategy? With their control of the YouTube algorithm, search result suggestions, Google News curation, and dominance of ads, Google doesn't lack for ability to manipulate public opinion.
Edit: if I were Google, and I existed in the present absence of serious regulation, I would wield the ability to manipulate opinion in the favour of my business strategy. I'm not sure if that's an offensive notion, and that's why this comment is controversial?
I imagined that with the pandemic and prospects of less employees in the office things would slow down.
But someone at Google is betting on a rebound after covid of office space demand, company growth or just real estate appreciation.
1: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/nyregion/03building.html