Developer launches ‘new normal’ £12m office HQ scheme

A Warwickshire-based developer has unveiled proposals for a new £12m HQ of Leamington Spa offices, designed to dovetail with the demands of working life after COVID-19.

The 42,000 sq ft building would be part of the second phase of 150,000 sq ft of Grade ‘A’ office space on the Abbey Park office campus, an established business location between Coventry, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth.

The 60-acre park is already home to such diverse occupiers as global agricultural equipment maker AGCO (which includes Massey Ferguson amongst its brands), the British Horse Society, international auto-systems supplier, Draexlmaier, and City & Guilds.

The commercial property developer, Danny Lynch, thinks the time is right to bring forward the office HQ, for which full planning permission has been secured.

KWB has been brought in to promote the Abbey Park proposals, and director John Bryce expects the HQ to attract interest from an array of business sectors.

“This Park was successful long before lockdown for occupiers who wanted a strategic location, with 24-hour security and excellent links to the region’s motorway network, the West Coast Main Line and Birmingham Airport, as well as a strong talent pool,” he says.

“Those elements remain of critical importance, but I think potential occupiers will also be impressed by the commitment that Danny and his team have shown in making the building’s design suit the changing requirements of office occupiers.”

“The property industry, like all business sectors, is mired in uncertainty because potential occupiers are still trying to work out what the ‘new normal’ will look like in office space once lockdown comes to an end,” says Lynch.

“Accordingly, we have worked very closely with our architects to design a building that will fulfil all the needs of a business that values its employees, and places the highest priority on their health and wellbeing.

“COVID-19 has taught us that office environments must change, so we have included multiple entrances serving self-contained suites, to accommodate different departments within an organisation.

“Each area will have dedicated provision for toilets, showers, break-out space and kitchens, and such features as automated doors and the latest air filtration systems will enhance everyone’s wellbeing.”

Given the historic strength of the West Midlands automotive industry, John believes the proposed HQ will be of particular interest to corporates operating in that sector.

“Abbey Park is little more than three miles from JLR’s global HQ, close to the brand new National Automotive Innovation Centre, the existing Advanced Propulsion Centre, Warwick Science Park, and high-profile universities in Warwick and Coventry,” he says.

“The proposal will be attractive to any public or private sector organisation looking for offices in an established location, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the tenant that ultimately comes here had connections to the automotive industry.” KWB is joint commercial property agent for Abbey Park with Bromwich Hardy.

For more information on Abbey Park’s Leamington Spa offices, contact John Bryce on 0121 233 2330 or email jbryce@kwboffice.com.