An office building in the heart of Guildford will be extensively remodelled to create best-in-class business workspaces after planning permission was granted for its full refurbishment.
The planned redevelopment of 1-7 Stoke Road, formerly the headquarters of solicitors Clyde & Co, is now to be named Bottle Works, and follows the £10.95m purchase of the building by Kingsbridge Estates in October 2021.
Bottle Works will create 39,000 sq ft of office space in a prime town centre location, to include a purpose-built business lounge, new reception, new WCs, showers and changing facilities and external amenity areas.
The new name reflects the heritage of the site, which was used by R White and Sons for the brewing of ginger beer in the early 20th century and later by dairy companies including Unigate for bottling milk.
The development, approved by planners at Guildford Borough Council, enhances the character of the three-storey building, which is in part locally listed, to create high impact contemporary spaces with sustainability measures including low energy lighting, electric vehicle charging stations and cycle storage.
Bottle Works will be targeting the highest sustainability credentials including an EPC Rating A, BREEAM Excellent rating, Fitwel – 2 Star and Wired Score Gold standard.
Designed by award winning architects Hale Brown, the floor plates and new sustainable mechanical and electrical plant systems have been arranged to provide flexible spaces which can be demised for single or multiple occupants. Kingsbridge Estates was also advised by the Cumming Group, PSH, Calcinotto and ROK Planning.
Jeremy Sharland, Development Director at Kingsbridge Estates said: “We are excited to progress our plans for this development which is line with our strategy to acquire multi-let offices where there is potential to add value, refurbishing them to a high standard to meet demand from employers across the south-east of England for best-in-class space.”
“We are proud to be bringing much-needed high-quality office space to the heart of Guildford and look forward to welcoming occupiers who will benefit from the contemporary workspaces and facilities that we are creating.”
Kingsbridge Estates has progressed strip out works at the site and main contract works are due to commence on site early 2023.
DTRE and BNP Paribas have been appointed letting agents for the scheme.
