MEPC Birchwood Park has signed up Halcrow for 13,000 sq ft of office space at 304 Bridgewater Place, part of its award winning 106,000 sq ft four-building development. This comes at the same time as MEPC confirms that 302 Bridgewater Place, another of the four buildings, is now fully let. Halcrow, a specialist in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure development worldwide with interests in transportation, water, maritime and property, has taken the second floor on a 10 year lease at £18 per sq ft. The company took occupation in mid-July 2008. The agreement will see Halcrow re-locate some of its south Manchester based employees in the new Grade A office building following its recent expansion plans and recruitment drive.
MEPC Birchwood Park has now let over 50,000 sq ft (3,716 sq m) during the last nine months at its flagship property Bridgewater Place.
This letting underlines Birchwood Park’s position as Warrington’s premier office location – with Halcrow joining other high-profile occupiers of Bridgewater Place that include its newest occupant, Vaultex UK Ltd, which took 10,496 sq ft (975 m), GB Oils, Vestas Celtic and David Wilson Homes.
Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive of MEPC said, “We are pleased that Halcrow has chosen Birchwood Park for its new offices in the North West. Letting activity has remained steady over the last quarter across all our Estates. Our developments, such as Bridgewater Place, attract companies of all sizes and we are continuing to invest in improving the occupational offer. Further to the existing amenities, our parks will soon provide 4 star hotels enabling companies to accommodate their clients and regional representatives when in town. Our priority is to continue to support companies of all sizes and structures, ensuring that their staff continue to work in an environment that is safe, convenient and attractive.”
Bridgewater Place was last year named regional winner of the British Council for Offices Commercial Workspace award. It then went on to secure for the park the Property Executive North of England Office Award for Excellence. Latterly, Bridgewater Place’s architects BDP won a gold award in the Roses Design Award commercial project category.
Jonathan Walsh, Managing Director at Birchwood Park, added: “This flagship development has proved successful in attracting and accommodating global, national and local companies – a combination of flexible buildings, easy access and a variety of facilities make Birchwood Park more than just a workplace. Having observed strong demand for Bridgewater Place we are confident that this will continue to remain steady until the final two buildings are fully let.”
John Daly, Halcrow’s regional director, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our North West business into a first class office space, which will provide an enviable environment for our current and future staff.”
Michael Hawkins, Partner at WHR, commented: “This latest letting continues to demonstrate Birchwood Park’s ability to differentiate itself from alternative business locations. Birchwood Park provides so much more than just high quality office accommodation - it also offers an environment that stimulates employees providing a far greater work/life balance”
Richard Wharton of King Sturge commented that they were continuing to receive a strong level of interest in Bridgewater Place resulting in terms being submitted for two further suites within the scheme to blue chip companies. Suites remain available from 3,435sqft to full floors of 12,180sqft and 13,953sqft. 2 adjoining floors would also combine to provide 24,352sqft.
Halcrow took occupation in mid July 2008
Joint agents acting on behalf of MEPC for Birchwood Park are King Sturge and WHR.
The new Ramada Encore hotel at Birchwood Park is due to open Monday 19th January 2009, ideally located on the Southern entrance to Birchwood Park, just a few hundred metres from Bridgewater Place. With 103 stylish ensuite bedrooms and 2 modern purpose built meeting rooms the hotel is a great choice for people travelling on business to Birchwood.The hotel is an exciting new hotel experience, with a simple - fresh, stylish concept and a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere. All public areas and bedrooms within the hotel are fully air-conditioned.
