Modern makeover for Newcastle city centre office…

Modern makeover for Newcastle city centre office attracts first two major lettings

The former head office of Newcastle Building Society has sealed its first two lettings following a year-long multimillion-pound renovation.

Portland House was launched late last year in the city centre, with large amounts of its modern office space under offer before it even officially opened its doors. The building’s owners, developers James Keegan and Oliver Holland, have now welcomed two businesses who will together occupy over 20% of the building. Specialist maritime and international trade solicitors, Mills & Co, which has taken a 10-year lease, is relocating from its current base at Milburn House to a 5,574 sq ft. suite.

A five-year lease has also been agreed with Begbies Traynor Group, which is also moving from Dean Street and is taking up a new suite of 3,025 sq ft. The professional services business incorporates Begbies Traynor Insolvency and Restructuring, BTG Financial Advisory and Eddisons Property Services. The lettings have been secured as more and more businesses are investing in better quality amenities and accommodation for their staff in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The developers have created 60,000 sq ft workplace within the 1990s-built office, making sure the five-storey building promotes productivity, sustainability and wellbeing. New features include a communal workspace in the Grade II listed Broadcasting House, bookable meeting rooms, ‘living wall’ installations, storage lockers, showers with hairdryers and vanity stations and changing facilities.

The redevelopment also focussed on adding green and wellness features including biophilic installations, carbon neutral flooring, basement parking with electric car charging stations, e-bike chargers and a bike repair unit to help with safer commutes.

Mr Keegan said: “We warmly welcome Mills & Co and Begbies Traynor Group to Portland House and look forward to them taking advantage of the many features and amenities we’ve invested in to provide occupiers with an exceptional workplace experience. Following the lockdowns and slow return to the office, it has never been more important to work in an environment that inspires people and helps attract as well as retain talent.”

Portland House in Newcastle. New features include biophilic installations, hotel-quality showers and electric charge points for cars and e-bikes (David Wood)

Portland House in Newcastle. The transformation has created a range of working areas including co-working spaces and private meeting rooms. (David Wood)

The team behind the transformation of Portland House has also developed a bespoke building app for access control which also enables food deliveries from local vendors, bookable workplace services including dry cleaning, and visitor management using unique QR codes to ensure site security at all times.

Gillian Sayburn, partner at Begbies Traynor Group, said: “We are excited about the move to Portland House as we continue to grow our business in Newcastle and across the North East. Over the last 24 months we have seen an increase in clients seeking advice across the range of services Begbies Traynor offer from insolvency and restructuring, financial advisory and the property-related services that Eddisons offer, including building consultancy, valuation and agency.”

Lawyers for Portland House are currently working on more leases with occupiers who will fill the majority of the property in the coming months.

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