Family owned trading company, The RO, has sold the freehold interest in Dakota, Brooklands, Weybridge to Surrey County Council for £15.9 million.
The Brooklands estate, which was formed within the perimeter of the historic Brooklands motor racing circuit, is home to one of the largest clusters of blue-chip occupiers in the South East, including Sony, Procter & Gamble, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Cargill, LG and Mercedes-Benz World. It sits directly opposite the renowned St George’s Hill Estate.
The Dakota building was recently redeveloped and extended by RO and provides circa 36,000 sq ft of Grade A office space with large new private terraces.
Surrey Country Council will occupy the 1st and 2nd floors, comprising circa 22,000 sq ft, relocating staff from County Hall in Kingston. The 3rd floor is already let to Robert Half International and the ground floor to Yooserv Limited.
Surrey County Council was advised by Vail Williams. The RO was advised by Knight Frank.
Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, comments: “We are seeing through our commitment to move our staff back into the county of Surrey after more than 50 years in Kingston. The move will not only save us money and reduce our carbon footprint as an organisation, but it brings our staff closer to the residents we serve. I’m delighted that once we come out of COVID restrictions, staff will now be able to work flexibly across the county including from these fantastic new premises in Reigate and Weybridge.”
David Kershaw, Group Real Estate Director, the RO, added: “We are delighted with our sale of Dakota to Surrey County Council. The capital generated by this sale will enable us to look at attractive new opportunities, as well as continuing to invest in our existing assets.
“In the last two years we have modernised many of our buildings, including Dakota, as well as locations in Sevenoaks, Southampton and Watford. Covid-19 has accelerated a change in working practices and businesses are now more focused than ever on finding quality office space that satisfies employee wellbeing and enhances creativity and collaboration in decentralised locations.
“Dakota was always a very special project for us; being the first multi-tenanted building in Europe to achieve Fitwel certification and we wish Surrey County Council and its employees much success and enjoyment in their new building.”
