More space at landmark Bristol city centre office building Whitefriars has been let, lifting the total taken since it was refurbished last year to more than 26,000 sq ft.
The latest letting is to University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, which has doubled its presence in the 11-storey building on Lewins Mead – at 145,000 sq ft one of the largest in the city centre.
The Trust is occupying just over 5,100 sq ft of additional space on a new 10-year lease. It now occupies a total of 12,446 sq ft on the third, fourth and ninth floors.
The building is now four-fifths let with five office suites remaining unoccupied – in contrast to 60% let when owner London-based private investment company Topland took it over two years ago.
Agents Alder King and JLL, acting on behalf of Topland, are now marketing the remaining 32,260 sq ft on flexible terms with the aim of getting the occupancy rate up to 90% by the end of this year.
Alder King Bristol-based office agency specialist Tom Dugay said: “The new lettings strategy offering good quality premises at £9 per sq ft has hit the mark with organisations requiring cost-effective but centrally located accommodation.
“Clearly there were economies of scale for the University Hospitals Trust in expanding its presence within the building and geographic benefits from being located so close to several of its hospital facilities.”
Available suites are sized from 2,694 sq ft to an entire floor of 19,010 sq ft – one of Bristol’s largest available single floor plates.
There are also on-site conference facilities, a cafe and gym with fitness facilities available exclusively to occupiers, and secure on-site car parking at a ratio of one space per 600 sq ft, one of the best ratios in Bristol city centre.
Figures released last week by a number of Bristol office agents showed a marked upturn in new lettings during the first half of 2014.
