News: Powell Williams oversees £15m facelift at Guildford Business Park for Cube Real Estate and Benson Elliot

One of four iconic office blocks fronting the A3, Building Two at the Guildford Business Park is being rebuilt to become the flagship of the development.

The building, originally built in 1988, has been stripped back to frame and is now to be rebuilt with a three-storey front extension and a brand new Grade A-standard interior throughout. The familiar external glazed façade will be reinstated, while a single storey vertical extension will create a new penthouse office suite with outdoor terrace area. The architect for Building Two is TP Bennett and the contractor is Brymor.

The building was vacated by previous occupier Phillips, which has moved into the recently refurbished Building Three. Building Two, which will total 82,000 sq.ft, is set to be relaunched to the market on a multi let basis when works complete in March 2018.

The project is part of a wider investment in upgrading the 260,000 sq.ft business park by its owner, Benson Elliot, and asset manager Cube Real Estate.

Our involvement

Powell Williams was appointed to advise on the acquisition in 2015 of the 14-acre site from Legal & General, and has since handled dilapidations and project management. The team is also appointed principle designer, contract administrator and employer’s agent.

Darren Ward, Powell Williams partner overseeing the project, said:
“This transformation will allow us to create the type of modern office space that today’s occupiers demand.

“Over the last five months we’ve taken the building back to its bare bones and installed new foundations to allow for this wholesale remodel. Over the coming months we’ll see the new skin draped around the existing frame and the familiar curved face reinstated. Once complete, work will begin on the interior, creating a ‘next-generation’ office building which will set a new standard for the whole development.”

Increased car parking

Powell Williams is also working closely with planning consultant Chartplan over the next phase of works which will see the existing car park increased by three additional decks, to accommodate 98 extra vehicles. Plans are also being progressed to implement existing planning consent to construct a new Building Five with associated car parking.

Jonathan Lawes from Cube Real Estate said:
“Just eight miles from the M25 and one mile from Guildford, this is a fantastic location for a business park. We’re in a regional centre with growing demand for high quality space, as shown by our current blue-chip occupiers, such as Colgate, Philips and Ericsson.

“This investment will demonstrate what can be done here, and shows the potential the whole site offers to improve provision for businesses accommodation in this area.

“For a complex scheme such as this, comprising multiple projects and in depth negotiations with local planning authorities, Network Rail, and numerous existing occupiers, we were pleased to appoint Powell Williams.”

Previous work

Powell Williams has also acted for Cube on behalf of Benson Elliot in the refurbishment and upgrade of space at 55 Princess Street in Manchester, 11 Brindleyplace in Birmingham, 150 St Vincents Street in Glasgow and Templeback in Bristol.