Category Archives: Property

London News, Property

Commercial Property Takeover – Shout About Extend Worthwhile Use Scheme to Maximise Cashflow

Just a month after launching their “worthwhile use” property scheme, progressive creative events agency, Shout About, announce new commercial appointments and their commitment to bring a fresh revenue stream to asset managers and landlords throughout the city.

Rather than contribute another empty building to the London Skyline, most recently conscientious landlord Landid has engaged with Shout About to activate its Tower Bridge Court property for events through their “worthwhile use” program.

A new addition to the London agency, Tower Bridge Court comprises 68,000 sq ft of former office space set to undergo a major development this October. As part of the agreement, from now thru to September 30th 2019, Shout About will engage with charitable initiatives and support the local community by providing premium event space at the site, as well as professional operational support.

“This was a great opportunity for us to support the local community, offering a large scale, premium, yet affordable event space to charities and social enterprise organisations.” – Ben Gamble, Head of Agency, Shout About.

Witnessing a slowdown in property development throughout the city, as scores of commercial property investors take stock of the current market, Shout About set up their “worthwhile use” scheme to bring much needed cashflow to developers, all the while seeking new and unused potential event space that they could present to their clients.

“We have a real passion for reactivating forgotten/unused spaces and turning them into a thriving hub of engagement. For our landlords, it’s about maximising revenue and PR, whilst minimising disruption. For our clients, it’s about giving their brand something, that makes them look ‘in-the-know’ and helps them stand out amongst their competitors!” – Ben Gamble – Head of Agency, Shout About.

Back in July the creative events agency contracted Sun Street, a short-term premium raw site in Zone 1 between Old Street and Liverpool Street stations. Currently undergoing development, the site offers 30,000 square foot of untapped event space, comprising 6 interlinking former townhouses over 5 floors. Staying true to the agency’s ideology of finding unique venues for their list of corporate and consumer clients, Shout About secured an exclusive private hire of the site for the duration of the project term.

With extensive experience in operating large scale ‘shell and core’ venues and event sites, Shout About are able to fulfil expectations, bringing substantial revenues to landlords by activating “worthwhile use” sites for events. Specialising in taking forgotten locations that may be waiting to be redeveloped or even demolished, Shout About are able to generate income, as well as national press attention, through numerous experiential activities.

“By the end of 2019, we expect to have 10 properties in our portfolio, growing exponentially over the next two years to amass “worthwhile use” sites all over the UK” – Ben Gamble, Head of Agency, Shout About.

Not only revenue drivers, Shout About provide all creative production along with building infrastructure to transform a property into a ‘visitor ready’ event space.

For more information please visit: http://shoutabout.com/

Construction, News, Property, Wales News

New chapter begins for historic Porthcawl building

One of Porthcawl’s most iconic buildings is receiving a fresh new look in time for its 100th birthday.

Work is underway at the Harlequin Building in Dock Street which is restoring the well-known local landmark back to its historic glory.

The structure is being strengthened so that the building can be brought up to modern design standards with a brand new roof, windows and doors, and a full internal refurbishment is being carried out to make the building suitable for a commercial occupier.

The £143,000 project is being funded by the Townscape Heritage Initiative and Bridgend County Borough Council. Contractors are already on site and the work is expected to be complete by early 2020.

Cllr Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education, said: “I’m delighted to see the latest piece of Porthcawl’s regeneration jigsaw falling into place.

“The Harlequin is a popular and much-loved landmark building in Porthcawl, and with the next phase of our regeneration scheme focusing upon the Salt Lake area, it will be a prime spot for a suitable business.“We said we would look at the Harlequin when we revisited the town’s regeneration plans, and this work delivers on that promise.

“With its recently-completed coastal sea defences, new Watersports Centre preparing to open at Rest Bay and work forging ahead at the Harlequin, Porthcawl is awash with projects that are designed to maximise its potential as a place in which to live, work or visit.” 

Built in 1920 by Sir Thomas Jones, the building was originally used as an estate agents before becoming the property of Great Western Railway where it served as the Porthcawl Railway station master’s office and later a railway goods office.

After Porthcawl’s railway link was removed following a 1965 restructure, the building hosted a number of different businesses, including a well-known gown and suit shop called Madge and the antiques shop which later lent its name to the building.

Harlequin Antiques was the last business to use the building before it closed in 2005.

Property, Wales News

Redrow South Wales named as finalist in Cardiff Property Awards

Redrow’s South Wales division has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at this year’s Cardiff Property Awards.

The national housebuilder is a finalist in both the Developer and Employer of the Year categories, the winners of which will be announced on the 8th November at a ceremony taking place at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff.

The awards celebrate the best of the Cardiff property sector, from residential to commercial, lettings and new builds.

A series of independent judges will review the companies on the shortlist and decide which will receive the accolade for each of the 18 award categories.

The Developer award recognises companies delivering ‘progressive residential and/or commercial buildings, fit for purpose and the future’.

For the Employer of the Year category, judges will consider a range of employment factors including levels of staff retention and any incentives and projects the companies are working on now and for the future.

This adds to a series of successes for the homebuilder in the past twelve months, with planning director Jane Carpenter named Property Personality of the Year at Insider’s Wales Property Awards 2019; receiving the top Five Star rating by the Home Builders Federation (HBF); and five South Wales site managers named as finalists in the 2019 NHBC Pride in the Job Awards.

Nigel Palmer, managing director of Redrow South Wales, commented:

“We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the Developer and Employer of the Year categories at the Cardiff Property Awards.

“We pride ourselves on being a fantastic place to work and valuing our employees is at the heart of being able to build thriving communities and to do so sustainably and responsibly. We are delighted that 94 per cent of our colleagues are proud to work for Redrow.

“Being named as finalists for these is testament to the hard work of the South Wales team and we’re looking forward to celebrating our achievements at the event.”

News, Property, Wales News

Cardiff Waterside business developments – latest news

Global real estate company, Parmer Innovation Centers (PIC), celebrated the completion of its latest campus wide refurbishment in Cardiff Bay with an event hosted by  former Welsh international and British lion rugby legend , Gethin Jenkins.

The  latest refurbishment of Caspian Point 1 and 2 incorporated the reception areas, common parts and offices suites . The buildings are now capable of providing Grade A contemporary offices space with suites from as little as 500 sq.ft up to 30,000 sq.ft of, –

The launch coincided with Wales’ opening World Cup Rugby game against Georgia. The game was shown on a large Screen in one of the newly refurbished suites with around 100 guests in attendance.  The newly refurbished offices are available to let through commercial agents Knight Frank and Cushman Wakefield.

The office space provides a modern contemporary working environment with exposed services. In addition, the building has 24-access and security, disabled access cycle parking and an enviable car parking ratio

The £120m Waterside office campus now has seven sites around Cardiff Bay; Emperor House, Scott House, Discovery House, Terra Nova House, Alexandra House, 3 Assembly Square, and Caspian Point 1 and 2. It also includes the 1,200 space mule-storey car park and 2 development plots.

Parmer Innovation Centers  currently owns than three million square foot of office space and a thousand developable hectares in the US and the UK., Cardiff became the sixth investment in its portfolio in 2018 when it was acquired for circa £100m

Ed Lockyer from Parmer’s global partner said:

“We’re thrilled to have completed this latest phase of  refurbishment and we will continue to invest to ensure that  Parmer Cardiff remains as one of Cardiff’s most sought after office locations. We proactively invest in well-connected cities with growing opportunities for businesses and Cardiff was a clear choice due as its one of the fastest growing capital cities in the UK.

“Since we acquiredParmer Cardiff in 2018, we’ve invested as addional £2m and  been working hard to re-position the Campus . We already have aa substantial business  community with of  over 100 occupiers, and with the latest phase of refurbishments, we are hoping to grow this further.”

For more information visit ParmerCardiff.com.

Construction, News, Property, Wales News

Construction underway at John Street office development in Cardiff city centre

Construction work has begun on 107,000 sq ft of Grade A offices at John Street, one of Cardiff city centre’s few remaining prime office development sites.

Independent development company JR Smart, which is speculatively developing the John Street site, has already delivered and let 370,000 sq ft of offices at the adjacent Capital Quarter.

Work on the 10-storey office building is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2021.

Cardiff Council Leader Huw Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates and Alexander Smart, Managing Director of JR Smart,  came together at a ground-breaking ceremony to formally mark the start of the work at John Street.

Alexander Smart said:

“With work now underway at John Street, this new development will deliver fantastic new office accommodation in the heart of Cardiff’s Central Business District in 2021, accommodating more than 1,100 people and, importantly, the majority of sub-contracts will be awarded to local businesses.”

Huw Thomas said:

“It’s always exciting to see our city centre growing and developing. These new offices on John Street will hold a prime position on Callaghan Square and I’m sure they will help kick start more – much-needed – development in the surrounding area. JR Smart have always had the courage to build speculatively and it’s great to see the faith they retain in Cardiff – a faith that is well warranted. These offices will deliver more of the jobs the city needs, ensuring Cardiff continues to thrive, offering work opportunities for residents and workers in the surrounding region.”

Ken Skates said:

“High quality office accommodation is vital to the success of the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone, and to retaining and attracting valued employers to the region. I’m pleased that JR Smart is once again investing in the heart of our capital city and building on a speculative basis.”

The first phase development at John Street, which is located at Callaghan Square in Cardiff’s Central Business District, will provide high-specification offices with typical floor plates of 13,000 sq ft, and will include a coffee shop and tenant’s business lounge. The roof-top terrace will provide tenants  with spectacular views of the City centre, Cardiff Bay and beyond.

Global property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed as letting agents at John Street. Mark Sutton, partner in Knight Frank’s Cardiff office agency team, said: “Following a record period of office take-up there is a real scarcity of prime space in Cardiff city centre, with supply levels at an all-time low.  The development of John Street is perfectly timed and will deliver the superb city centre office space on Cardiff’s best development site.

Cardiff city centre office take up was 685,640 sq ft in 2016, 703,926 sq ft in 2017, and 499,000 sq ft in 2018. Strong performance in 2019 has continued with 150,000 sq ft transacted in Q1.

Property development company JR Smart has delivered over 3m sq ft of office and industrial buildings in the Cardiff area. Its seven-acre Capital Quarter site has attracted well-known local companies such as Admiral, WSP, Geldards, Optimum Credit and Public Health Wales, and new entrants to Cardiff including Opus Energy, Alert Logic, Sky and Which? Publishing. By the end of the year more than 3,000 people will be employed there and more than 5000 will be based there.

News, Property, Wales News

North Wales Commercial Property of the Month: Halcyon Quest Guest House, Prestatyn

If you’ve ever dreamed of giving up city life to run your own pub and guest house by the sea, award-winning Halcyon Quest could be the perfect opportunity, set in the prosperous and popular North Wales Victorian seaside resort of Prestatyn, currently for sale with North Wales Estate Agents Peter Large.

About Prestatyn

They say for a hospitality business, location is everything – and Prestatyn is perfect, attracting guests from all over the UK and beyond since the 19th century.

The resort has three beaches which join to create a five mile expanse of sand and is popular with tourists, but Prestatyn has plenty of history, too.  The town is at the northern end of the Offa’s Dyke Path, although not on Offa’s Dyke itself. It also marks the eastern end of the North Wales Path, a long-distance coastal route to Bangor, and the western end of the Clwydian Way. Other attractions include the remains of Roman baths and the nearby Neolithic mound, the Gop.

 

This substantial guest house and bar occupies a prominent location close to the Offa’s Dyke walk and is also only a short walk from Prestatyn’s high street and main shopping area.  The high street offers lots of individual local shops, a pretty church, pleasant coffee shops and a tucked-away retail park with a Tesco supermarket as well as popular retail shops.

The Guest House occupies a prominent frontage onto the well known Gronant Road and the pretty nine letting rooms have proved popular over the 50 years the business has been established.

As the name suggests Halcyon Quest is a resting place and has been the winner of numerous awards with the campaign for Real Ale and was the winner in 2014 for the best local pub of the year. It offers versatile accommodation with ample parking and is currently run as a bed and breakfast with the opportunity for the discerning buyer to take on further food sales as required.

The business is offered with fixtures and fittings throughout plus stock at valuation on the day of completion of sale. Audited trading accounts are available by appointment with the Selling Agents at Prestatyn Office. Viewing is strictly by appointment.

The agents are inviting offers around £550,000.  You can view full property details here: https://peterlarge.com/commercial/halcyon-quest-guest-house/

News, Property, Wales News

£10 million investment to transform Hodge House office building under way in central Cardiff: Knight Frank

A £10 million programme to transform the Hodge House office building in central Cardiff is now under way.

Owner Legal & General has embarked upon major refurbishment works to create 110,000 sq ft of contemporary office space within the neo-classical Portland stone Grade II listed building on St Mary Street. While the building’s unique features – such as the period staircase off St Mary Street and the old vaulted ballroom on the fifth floor – are being restored and enhanced, six floors of large open-plan modern offices are being created, together with a striking atrium.

The works, which are being carried out by Paramount Interiors, are due to be completed by the end of 2019.

Property consultants Knight Frank and Fletcher Morgan have been appointed by Legal & General as letting agents.  Matthew Phillips, managing partner of Knight Frank in Cardiff said:

“The refurbishment of this significant city centre character building will create the Grade A space that today’s occupier wants – full of character, large floor plates of over 19,000 sq ft with exposed services and new mechanical and electrical systems, and good bicycle and changing room facilities.”

John James of Fletcher Morgan added:

“Hodge House has a superb central location opposite the Stadium and in close proximity to Central Square, very close to main public transport hubs and with all the amenities of central Cardiff at hand  – it’s a very attractive proposition.”

Legal & General has been a major investor and employer in Cardiff for a number of years.  It financed the nearby Central  Square – one of the UK’s biggest regeneration stories and earlier this year announced that it has invested £200 million in new trains for the Wales & Borders franchise.

At Hodge House Legal & General will devote part of the available space to creating 4,000 sq ft suites under its Capsule brand of flexible ‘furnished & work ready’  offices.  Occupiers will benefit from fully fitted-out office space with digital connectivity and a simplified leasing process.

Construction, Property, Wales News

Redrow to launch new Cwrt Sant Ioan development at Plasdŵr

Redrow Homes is set to launch its Cwrt Sant Ioan development, which will be the next phase at Plasdŵr, Cardiff’s ‘Garden City for the 21st Century’.

From Saturday, 21st September, the site, which will be made up of 71, two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, will be available to visit between 10am and 5.30pm, with the Redrow sales team on hand to answer any questions at the Sales Office. Cwrt Sant Ioan is the latest Redrow development at Plasdŵr.

Plasdŵr is identified in Cardiff’s Local Development Plan as key to the city’s economic growth, with up to 7,000 homes planned over the next 20 years at the site bordering Radyr, Fairwater, Pentrebane and St Fagans. The development has been planned with five distinct areas of individual character. It will have a district centre and three smaller local centres, four new primary schools, a secondary school, shops, offices, health and leisure centres, pubs and restaurants.

Described as a 21st Century garden city, Plasdŵr has been modelled on the original garden city movement’s principles of “fresh air, sunlight, breathing and playing room”, designed around the natural landscape and will be characterised by green space which will account for up to 40% of its entire area.

The three-bedroom Teifi and four-bedroom Tawe house types will be just some of the properties on offer and show homes will be available to view from January 2020.

Sian Smith, area sales manager at Redrow South Wales, said:

“We’re thrilled to be releasing our next phase at Plasdŵr and welcoming visitors to the site. This new phase is set to deliver a contemporary, bespoke design with a high-class Heritage feel inside. These exceptional homes will allow a luxury lifestyle families deserve.

“The two neighbouring developments, Parc Plymouth and Cae St Fagans, have proved to be extremely popular amongst homebuyers with residents already praising the excellent location and looking forward to being part of the Plasdŵr community, which will continue to take shape over the next 20 years.”

For more information about the Cwrt Sant Ioan development, please call 02920 608055 or visit https://www.redrow.co.uk/cwrt-sant-ioan

More information on Plasdŵr can be found at www.plasdwr.co.uk.

Construction, News, Property, Wales News

New Parc Ceirw Garden Village Coming Soon in North Swansea

An information centre is opening soon (October 4) to keep residents of North Swansea up to date about plans to transform a former quarry into a new garden village of homes and community facilities.

The Edenstone Group, based in Magor, has approval to build circa 300 homes on the 35 acre site, which was the former Cwmrhydyceirw Quarry.

The development, known as Parc Ceirw Garden Village, will feature the company’s two housing brands – Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Homes.

Clearance and preparatory work is underway, with the first phase of construction due to in the near future.

Ahead of the first homes being released for sale, the homebuilder is opening an information centre located on Enfield Close off Brodorion Drive, Morriston. From October 4, visitors will be able to learn about the homes and community facilities planned as part of the new neighbourhood.

Martin Taylor, managing director of the Edenstone Group, said: “Parc Ceirw Garden Village is a significant development for the Edenstone Group and the Swansea area. It’s a prime example of how we are diversifying our product mix and responding to local housing demand. The scale of the development presents an opportunity for us to offer a choice of housing styles under the Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Homes brands so that whatever stage of life you are at there will be a home that’s the right size and style for you.

“Over the coming months and years we will be building homes suitable for every segment of the market – from first time buyers, to growing families and downsizers, and everything in between.”

Along with providing much-needed new homes, the redevelopment of the former quarry will bring substantial investment in the local area, including funding towards the cost of three new classrooms at nearby Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School and highways improvements

Part of the site is a former quarry, which has been fully remediated in partnership with Natural Resources Wales to create an amenity area for everyone to enjoy in the form of a new community park.

“Parc Ceirw Garden Village is providing more than just homes. It also demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable communities with the facilities and infrastructure people want and need from a neighbourhood,” Martin added.

“We will be investing around £750,000 in Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School with funding earmarked for new classrooms, travel planning, plus additional funding for highways improvements including a pick-up and drop-off point and a zebra crossing.

“We’ve worked closely with NRW to remediate the former brownfield site so that the land can be brought back into the public realm for local people to enjoy. For example, the quarry basin will be landscaped to create a community park featuring a play area, kick about area, woodland and nature trail. There will also be natural habitat areas, plus we will install a community hub building, external amphitheatre, electric car charging facilities and gym equipment.”

The first homes to be released for sale will be from the Edenstone Homes brand, including the rare opportunity to own a brand new bungalow in a choice of two and three-bedroom designs, with views over the golf course.

A second phase will be marketed as Bluebell Homes. Between the two brands, there will be a choice of two, three and four-bedroom homes to choose from.

Under current plans it’s expected that the community facilities will be in place for residents to enjoy within two years. Funding allocated to schools, highways and other amenities will be paid to the local authority at agreed points as the development progresses.  The development is close to Junction 39 of the M4 and Morriston hospital.

A dedicated website for the garden village is being developed and will be accessible via parcceirw.com. In the meantime, potential purchasers can register their interest in the properties via https://edenstonehomes.com/parc-ceirw and https://www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/parc-ceirw.

News, Property, Wales News

Senior appointment at Knight Frank in Cardiff as firm launches locally-based business rates service

Property consultancy Knight Frank has appointed Jon Ely as partner to head up a new Business Rates service from its Cardiff office.

Joining from Cushman & Wakefield, Jon will provide an on-the-ground ratings service to local and national companies operating in South Wales and the South West.

Matt Phillips, office head of the Knight Frank office in Cardiff, said:

“This is a senior appointment and is a strategic step in providing an unrivalled service to our clients. Business rates represent a very significant cost to occupiers and having Jon based locally – supported by our large national team – can help ensure our clients are paying the right amount.”

The Knight Frank Business Rates division provides a range of services, covering all areas of business rates including challenges and appeals, auditing and rate mitigation for empty properties.

Jon Ely, 41, was formerly with Cushman & Wakefield where he was responsible for the management of the South West and Wales Rating Team, and prior to that oversaw the rating team at Gerald Eve in Cardiff.

He said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge of building a successful business rates team for Knight Frank in Cardiff.

“Business rates can typically equate to approximately half of a company’s annual rent. They represent one of the largest overheads for businesses, yet are often overlooked and can substantially impact on profitability. My expertise can assist ratepayers reduce that burden, through working with clients to develop a tailored rating strategy.”

Jon Ely lives in Penarth.