Cooke & Arkwright
News
New courtyard scheme completed
27/10/05
Following the move to its new Cardiff Headquarters last year, Zurich reports the first disposals of the space it previously occupied in Fitzalan Court. The company trebled its presence in Cardiff with the move and released 22,000 sq ft in two buildings in Fitzalan Court - Westville House and Eagle Star House. All the accommodation has been refurbished and made Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.
At Westville House, letting agent Cooke & Arkwright has concluded two lettings totalling just under 5,000 sq ft to town planning consultants, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners and SAP project recruitment specialists, Recruit 121. Both tenants have taken the balance of Zurich’s leases until 2010 at rents which equate to about £14.00 per sq ft.
Zurich’s other building in Fitzalan Court, the former Eagle Star House now renamed Agincourt, which totals 17,000 sq ft on four floors, has also been refurbished and agents report keen interest in three floors.
Ben Bolton of Cooke & Arkwright commented, “Fitzalan Court is still Cardiff’s premier city centre office location and whilst the external appearance of the development, which was completed in 1985, is ageless, internal finishes were very dated and needed a total upgrade. Our Building Surveyors undertook this and we are very pleased with the end result which has been well received in the market. We can offer short leases at competitive rentals in a building which also provides plenty of secure car parking.”
Both new tenants at Westville House have moved to accommodate expansion. Dr. Malcolm Hockaday of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners said, “As part of our expansion programme in Cardiff, Westville House has proved ideal. Clear, open plan areas and secure parking are all part of creating good working conditions.”
Che Hookings of Recruit 121 commented, “We required a very quick completion process to ensure we kept to our business development plans and Cooke & Arkwright helped us achieve these tight timeframes. Fitzalan Court presents an excellent corporate face to Recruit 121; the facilities and interior décor are second to none and correctly represent the calibre of personnel we employ, and are looking to impress. We are currently looking to expand both our UK and European Recruitment teams substantially, and believe our move to Fitzalan Court has strengthened our position in attracting the best of Cardiff’s recruitment talent.”