KWB lets 36,000 sq ft at FORE offices Solihull to UTC and eTech
UTC Aerospace Systems, formerly Goodrich, has taken a new 10 year lease comprising 25,652 sq ft on the whole of FORE 1, representing the largest transaction for office space in Solihull and the M42 corridor for 2 years, since the letting of Eagle 3 to Virgin Media in Q1 2012.
UTC Aerospace Systems, who have been established in the area for many years, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defence products, as well as a major supplier to international space programmes.
Prior to the acquisition, which consolidates over 150 staff from three local offices, UTC undertook extensive analysis of the options available for office space in Solihull and the surrounding area. Impressed by the green credentials of the scheme, they concluded that FORE, the only BREEAM ‘Excellent’ offices in Solihull, represented the most efficient and most cost effective option.
Gareth Morris, VP and General Manager for UTC Aerospace Systems, Motor Drive Systems Centre, said “We are really pleased to be moving to a building that will provide an excellent environment for our employees and our research activities. This new facility will provide a showcase for customer visits and should support future growth.”
Martin Hill, BAM’s Development Director, said: “BAM’s buildings continue to attract high quality occupiers.”
Relocating their offices from Blythe Valley Park, eTech, market leading software provider of handheld survey applications for the built environment, such as Green Deal surveys, EPCs and gas safety surveys, has also just signed a 10 year lease on the whole of the first floor within FORE 2, comprising 10,484 sq ft.
Located prominently at Junction 4 of the M42, adjacent to Blythe Valley Business Park, FORE is one of a very limited number of self-contained options for businesses looking for office space in Solihull, with FORE representing the most energy efficient office space currently available in the region.
BAM further enhanced the M&E system within FORE to provide an occupational density of 1:8 sq m, which can house 20% more staff than all of its local competing buildings. These enhancements also permit occupiers to secure a 63% cost saving on their utility bills compared with a competing 1990s developed office building.
Mark Robinson, Partner at KWB, commented:
“We are delighted that such notable local occupiers have chosen this scheme. As we seem to be emerging from a period of corporate austerity, it is pleasing to see occupiers recognising the cost benefits of acquiring spatially and economically efficient office space in Solihull.
“We have strong interest in the remaining floor of FORE 2, so we look forward to announcing further good news during the course of this year.
“Detailed planning consent also exists for the development of a second phase where two further buildings, FORE 3 and 4, will provide 110,000 sq ft of office space in Solihull, and we already have pre-let enquiries to talk to for elements of this.”
For more information, please contact Mark Robinson on 0121 212 5994 or emailmrobinson@kwboffice.com.
