Financial technology company, Blue Speck Financial Ltd has decided to open its new 120-person facility at 10 Templeback, just weeks after the building was acquired by Benson Elliot.
The Bristol-born tech company has taken the top floor of the building, including a roof terrace, and plan to move in in March 2015.
The deal comes hot on the heels of the UK Investment Summit in Wales in November, where it was announced that Blue Speck planned to open a new 120-person facility in the city and create around 100 jobs by 2017, though it was not known where at the time. This follows earlier news that the company had been acquired by one of the largest financial services groups in South Africa, MMI Holdings.
The company, which offers cutting edge financial solutions, has taken 13,000 sq ft on a ten year lease joining current tenants NFU Mutual.
Toby Hughes, CEO at Blue Speck Financial Ltd, said: “We knew finding Grade A office space large enough to house 120 people in the city centre would be a challenge so we are delighted to have completed the deal here at 10 Templeback, which offers us everything we need and more. The contemporary open-plan space will allow the business to grow its operation and provide jobs and income for the local economy, which we’re very happy to be a part of.”
Cube Real Estate who asset manage the property on behalf of the owners has applied for planning permission to improve the arrival experience at 10 Templeback with a re-designed and re-modelled reception. The firm also plans to create a new shower hub in the car park which will include cycle racks, showers, a drying room and lockers to further enhance the building’s green credentials and promote sustainable travel. The building already has a ferry stop.
Jonathan Lawes, asset manager at Cube, said: “It is very encouraging to see a deal complete at 10 Templeback so soon after we acquired it on behalf of the owners, Benson Elliot. We now look forward to progressing plans to bring one of the city’s largest available Grade A offices back to life.
“Unlike many schemes in the city centre, we will be offering a much more flexible approach to the size of the occupier we’ll consider and will provide space from 4,700 sq ft.”
Matthew Cross, head of inward investment at Invest Bristol & Bath, said: “As well as bringing a prime city centre site forward, breathing new life into 10 Templeback will help attract further investment into the region and allow some of the city’s home-grown start-ups and SMEs to grow in situ.”
Andy Heath of letting agents DTZ, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Blue Speck to Templeback which we hope will be the first of many new tenants in the building.
“The redesigned entrance will further enhance the appeal of Templeback, which, coupled with the new bike and shower hub and bespoke concierge facilities, will make the building one of the most attractive in the city.”
Two other transactions are currently under offer totalling 15,000 sq ft.
10 Templeback is a 123,000 sq ft building and one of Bristol’s most prominent Grade A office developments. The waterfront building currently stands as the city’s greenest office block and is available to new tenants on tailor made attractive terms.
NFU Mutual currently occupies two floors but substantial high quality space remains available on the remaining three floors totalling 65,000 sq ft.
10 Templeback is being jointly marketed by DTZ and Alder King.
