Posted on September 8, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
PUTTING plants and greenery in offices can help boost productivity, according to new research.
A greener working environment could see productivity go up by as much as 15% says the report by Cardiff University’s School of Psychology.
The presence of plants can see increased workplace satisfaction and self-reported concentration.
Lead researcher Marlon Nieuwenhuis, from the School of Psychology, said: “Our research suggests that investing in landscaping the office with plants will pay off through an increase in office workers’ quality of life and productivity.
“Although previous laboratory research pointed in this direction, our research is, to our knowledge, the first to examine this in real offices, showing benefits over the long term. It directly challenges the widely accepted business philosophy that a lean office with clean desks is more productive.”
The full report, which involved academics from the University of Exeter the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and the University of Queensland, Australia, is available here.
Posted in Misc |
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Posted on August 22, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
OFFICE space take-up rates have almost doubled in Cardiff in the the first half of the year, according to new research.
A report by Savills says that take up in 2014 H1 was 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m), compared with 129,000 sq ft (11,984 sq m) in the same period last year.
The Welsh capital has also seen the return of large office days, says the property firm, with three transactions over 25,000 sq ft this year so far, including IBO taking 48,500 sq ft at Cardiff Gate and Public Health Wales taking 39,500 sq ft at Companies House.
Gary Carver, director of office agency at Savills Cardiff, commented: “We have seen a marked improvement in market sentiment in the Cardiff office market, which is reflected in the latest take-up figures. In addition, there are several active requirements over 20,000 sq ft including Legal and General, Geldards, PWC and Blake Morgan which, if they transpire, will further boost the take-up figure.
“Furthermore, with the 150,000 sq ft BBC deal likely to sign mid-2015, we expect the end of year take-up to reach circa 500,000 sq ft, 69% up on last year’s figures.”
Posted in South Glamorgan |
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Posted on August 21, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
A disused robotic car park could be turned in to offices in Scotland’s capital city.
The proposal would see a futuristic, auto-stacking car park, in Edinburgh which opened in 2001 and went bust two years later, converted into 120,000 sq ft of grade-A offices.
The plan has been proposed developer Hermes Real Estate would see the Sky Park in Morrisson Street demolished.
The proposals went on display yesterday at the EICC in a pre-application consultation to gather responses ahead of a full planning application.
A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council told the Edinburgh Evening News, “this speculative development is a welcome sign of investor confidence in the Edinburgh market and would mean yet another long-term brownfield site is being brought back into use.”
The Sky Park suffered a similar fate to that of the experimental Auto Stacker car park that was opened in Woolwich, south east London, in 1961 by Princess Margaret and closed a year later.
Posted in Edinburgh |
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Posted on August 20, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
BRITISH Land has announced the sale of a 20,500 sq ft building in Soho to Amazon Property for £26 million.
The multi let property at 52 Poland Street, known as Swan House, has a restaurant and bar at ground level with seven storeys of office space above.
Tim Roberts, Head of Offices, British Land said: “The expiry profile at 52 Poland Street means there is potential for vacant possession of upper parts in June 2015. The site attracted very strong interest, reflecting the strength and depth of the WE investment market. It is an opportune time to sell and focus on projects elsewhere in our portfolio.”
Chris Lanitis, Partner, Amazon Property said: “This is a strategic acquisition to add to our growing portfolio in an area where we see considerable growth prospects.”
Amazon Property’s portfolio now features properties from across central London including locations such as City of London, Soho, Maryelebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill
Elsewhere on offices.org.uk: find office space in Soho
Posted in London |
Tagged Transactions |
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Posted on August 19, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
A SERVICED office provider and a property investment firm have announced a joint venture to acquire properties in London and turn them in to serviced offices.
It’s the second joint venture between Office Space in Town and Forum Partners following an earlier deal in 2012 which saw property acquired in Liverpool St, St Paul’s and Waterloo.
£30million has been raised for the first round of equity and the duo are interested in London properties in zone one, in excess of 25,000 square feet and within a four minute walk of a tube station or rail links.
Giles Fuchs, Co-founder and CEO of Office Space in Town, commented:
“We are actively looking to buy office buildings; we have the funding in place to quickly build a strong portfolio as well as a strong track record as both operators and investors in the serviced office sector.”
Andrew Walker, Managing Partner and co-founder of Forum Partners, added:
“We had a fantastic experience working with Office Space in Town on our first joint venture and we are very pleased to back this second initiative. The serviced office market has been performing well and provides excellent investment opportunities.”
Posted in London |
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Posted on August 15, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
A PLANNING application for the first major office development in the city of Bath for twenty years has been submitted to the local council.
Four storey number 1 Pinesgate would create 113,000 sq ft of flexible Grade A office space close to Bath railway station.
Architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios have come up with the designs for the new office block has basement parking for 84 cars.
Richard Kidd, Director of Office Agency at property adviser GVA, appointed as joint agents with Hartnell Taylor Cook LLP for the Pinesgate development, commented:.
“Bath has had no significant office development for over two decades and the resultant lack of Grade A space led to a number of Bath companies relocating to Bristol and beyond in order to secure suitable office premises as they grow their businesses. In the meantime, occupiers from further afield, attracted by Bath’s unrivalled lifestyle and its highly educated labour pool, have nevertheless had to look elsewhere.
“That is about to change. Number 1 Pinesgate offers a unique opportunity for occupiers to take a fresh look at Bath and to take advantage of the city’s phenomenal cultural, sporting and professional facilities. The city is currently only 90 minutes from central London, with that journey time set to be reduced further once the electrification of the main South West railway line in 2018.”
A decision on the proposal is expected to be made by Bath & North East Somerset Council in September.
Posted in Somerset |
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Posted on August 12, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
THE LEADENHALL Building is to throw open its doors for this year’s Open House weekend.
Nicknamed the Cheesegrater, British Land’s 225-metre tall building will join other buildings from around the capital in welcoming visitors across the weekend which celebrates architecture.
It will be a chance for visitors to see inside the Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners-designed building before its even populated by tenants.
British Land and Oxford Properties, said: “We are immensely proud of The Leadenhall Building,
which is why, having unveiled the building to the real estate industry, we are throwing it open to
members of the public for the first time at this year’s Open House. The building’s nickname, ‘The
Cheesegrater’ is testament to the affection in which it is already held, and we look forward to
welcoming thousands of Londoners to the building in September and telling them the fascinating story
behind it.”
The Cheesegrater is sure to be a popular choice for visitors with other City of London office buildings such as the Gherkin and Lloyds Building always attracting big queues. Open House takes place this year on the 20th and 21st of September.
Posted in London |
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Posted on August 12, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
A 1930s cinema in Brighton looks set to be demolished so that a new development can take its place.
The mixed use scheme comprised of offices, flats and restaurants has been approved by local planners at Brighton & Hove Council.
The Conran and Partners-designed plans promise to deliver Brighton’s greenest offices on the site of the old Astoria cinema in Gloucester Place.
Phelim Mac Caffery, chair of the planning committee, told the BBC it was “sad” that no plans had been proposed to retain the building as a cinema or entertainment venue.
He said it was “a real shame” to remove the historic art deco building but “there is an outstanding condition to record and retain features of importance appropriately.”
A redevelopment of the site was originally approved in 2012 but planners have now given the green light to an revised scheme.
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Posted in East Sussex |
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Posted on July 4, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
THE TALLEST building in the country has announced a handful of new office tenants.
The three businesses are taking almost 28,000 sq ft between them in the Shard, next to London Bridge.
The companies that have leased space are Arma Partners, Warwick Business School and an undisclosed global drinks brand.
Irvine Sellar, Vice Chairman of the Shard’s Management firm, REM, and James Goldsmith, Leasing Director for REM commented: “We are delighted with these latest signings. This is further evidence of The Shard’s ability to attract global businesses and brands to London Bridge Quarter.
“We continue to realise the vision of creating a vertical city comprising a vibrant community of occupiers from across multiple sectors. There are now eight property classes represented in the building – offices, retail, hotel, restaurants and bars, apartments, a tourist attraction, health and now education in the form of Warwick Business School.”
Posted in London |
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Posted on June 30, 2014 by Offices.org.uk
BUSINESS centre provider Regus has announced a tie up with retail landlord British Land which will see three business hubs open up in UK shopping malls.
The Regus Express sites will be in Meadowhall in Sheffield, Broughton Shopping Park in Chester and Fort Kinnaird Shopping Park in Edinburgh.
Based in what were offices used by the centre management, the hubs will offer co-working space, private workstations, complementary refreshments, secure wi-fi and meeting rooms.
Charles Maudsley, Head of Retail for British Land, said: “This is an exciting partnership that will enable us to continue to broaden the landlord services we provide. Our retail portfolio encompasses locally preferred, accessible, high quality locations making us the natural partner of choice for Regus. The format will bring high-specification workspace and business services to our consumers and visitors.”
Phil Kemp from Regus commented: “Although a shopping centre might seem like an unconventional work environment, it is precisely this type of location where we see strongest demand for flexible workspace. With the rise of mobility, work and leisure time is blurring, and people want to work wherever it suits them.”
Posted in Cheshire, Edinburgh, South Yorkshire |
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