A wealth management company with more than 3,500 clients in the UK has moved into a new Hampshire office following a stunning refurbishment.
Eight Wealth, which has 12 financial advisers and 21 support staff, now operates out of Solent House at Solent Business Park, one of the leading business parks on the South Coast.
The company signed a 10-year lease on the 5,867 sq ft first floor of three-storey Solent House at 1460 Parkway, Whiteley, close to the asking rent of £15 a sq ft.
Hughes Ellard, the independent commercial property consultancy covering the Solent Corridor, acted for London-based property investor XLB.
Solent House, which has one remaining top-floor office available for rent at 5,867 sq, is being marketed jointly by Hughes Ellard and CBRE.
Matthew Riggs, Eight Wealth’s managing director, said: “We were previously working out of nearby 1580 Parkway but continued expansion of the business for us, coinciding with the natural end of the lease, meant that we required twice the size.
“The first-floor office at Solent House became available and we created a stunning environment for our 3,500 clients and 33 staff.
“Our customers are mainly members of the public looking for financial security for themselves and their families. We anticipate growing market share, with our dedicated team of financial advisers helping people make the right choices for their futures.”
Facilities include a boutique hotel-style reception area, tactile wallpaper, a staff dining area and gym.
Vibe Business Interiors, which has refurbished and fitted out 26 offices to date at Solent Business Park, and is owned and run by Andrew Saunders, led the project for Eight Wealth.
Russell Mogridge, the business space director for Hughes Ellard, said: “The high-spec space at Eight Wealth is on a par with offices in the City of London – it is a lovely working environment.
“There is a similar-size office directly above Eight Wealth we are now marketing – we expect that to be let within the next six months, given the strong demand for Grade A office space and a distinct lack of supply in that category along the M27 between Southampton and Portsmouth.”
Quoting rent for the top floor of Solent House is £15 per sq ft per annum exclusive.
Hughes Ellard is also marketing Eight Wealth’s former 2,894 sq ft office at 1580 Parkway, with 16 car spaces and a short-term two-year lease.
William Poole, a partner at XLB, said: “We’re pleased to welcome a tenant with the calibre of Eight Wealth Management to Solent House and building a strong relationship over the coming years. Together with leasing agents Hughes Ellard and CBRE, we are working hard to secure a tenant for the last remaining floor.”
Solent House’s ground floor occupier is Cunningham Lindsey, which provides loss adjusting, claims management and risk solutions to insurers, brokers and risk managers.
Occupiers at Solent Business Park, regarded as one of the driving engines of the regional economy, include large employers such as St James’s Place Wealth Management, HSBC, ITV Meridian, Lockheed Martin, Cobham, Optegra, Innovation Group, Chemring, Elemense, Shoosmiths, Specsavers, Regus, Datacard, Randstad and Matchtech.
Hughes Ellard’s professional services include development appraisal, search and acquisition, valuation, rent review and lease renewal, asset management, building consultancy, disposals and investment advice throughout the Solent Corridor and the UK.
