Hermes Investment Management (Hermes), the £30.1 billion manager, has announced that The Pearl, Newcastle is the first building in the city to be Wired Certified under the international digital connectivity rating scheme from WiredScore.
Comprising over 30,000 sq ft of office space, the landmark building has achieved a Wired Certified Silver rating for its technology infrastructure, reflecting the considerable investment made in its digital infrastructure as among the best in the UK.
Wired Certification is a trusted benchmark for commercial property connectivity that independently certifies buildings’ digital infrastructure. This provides greater transparency for occupiers to help them make an informed decision before signing a lease, and provides landlords with the necessary insights to improve their buildings’ connectivity standards.
First launched in partnership with the Bloomberg administration in New York City in 2013, WiredScore launched in the UK in October 2015 with endorsement from former Mayor of London to boost the capital’s digital connectivity. WiredScore now certifies buildings across the US, UK, France and Ireland, with over 40 million square feet now committed to Wired Certification in the UK.
Stephen Bradley, Asset Manager at Hermes Investment Management, said: “The Pearl boasts first-class office space, and it is therefore fitting that we’ve received a world-class connectivity rating. The Wired Certification brings additional value to the building and is in line with growing trends of urbanisation and technology. We are confident it will act as an additional draw for prospective occupiers.”
Highlights of The Pearl’s connectivity include:
- Service to tenants: Vodafone, Virgin and BT Openreach are present in the building, allowing tenants to choose and negotiate the service that best suits their connectivity needs.
- Future-proof infrastructure: The building has ample capacity to accommodate more cabling installations to support future needs of tenant.
- Quick broadband installation: To speed up the broadband installation when tenants move in, Hermes has all the necessary wayleave agreements on file.
William Newton, President and EMEA Director at WiredScore, added: “Hermes has made a great investment in the digital infrastructure of The Pearl to ensure that it is a beacon of connectivity in the North East. Not only has it ensured that its existing tenants have quick access to good broadband services, but in providing space for new cabling and equipment, the building is also able to continually evolve its connectivity infrastructure to meet the future demands of tenants.”
The news comes after an extensive refurbishment programme which saw a subsequent letting to Shared Interest Society, joining established tenants Maersk and Royal British Legion. Interest continues around The Pearl, while Hermes continues to market the building. Knight Frank and Gavin Black & Partners are the letting agent for Hermes Investment Management.
