Dive Brief:

• Google is constructing three barges (like this one), each of which will become a "floating retail store," according to a Turner Construction report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle.
• Turner is building the vessels with the expectation that Google will dock them in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.
• In San Francisco alone, Google may run into problems, as the Bay Conservation and Development Commission would need to issue a permit for the barge to remain afloat for any length of time; the commission could be reluctant to grant such a request, making it more like that the S.F. barge would remain docked—and Google has not been forthcoming with its specific intentions for the project.

 Dive Insight:

These innovative retail spaces are expected to play a significant role in Google's public Glass launch next year, and exactly what form they will take remains a mystery. The San Francisco barge alone will reportedly cost the company $35 million, though, which means Google is going to want to make sure it has proper clearance to open these spaces up to consumers.