Aurora, the landmark green office building being developed speculatively at Finzels Reach, is now over 40 per cent pre-let six months ahead of its completion.
This comes after local developer Cubex backed by Palmer Capital, sealed its latest letting deal with international law firm Simmons & Simmons, which has snapped up the top two floors.
Finzels Reach is an exciting new quarter being created on Bristol’s waterfront in the heart of the city by Cubex and funded by Palmer Capital.
Simmons & Simmons has agreed a 12-year lease for 27,000 sq ft of office space within Aurora, a Grade A 95,000 sq ft building which scooped a rare BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ accreditation last year – a nationally-recognised sustainability benchmark. The law firm has taken both the top floor of Aurora – which benefits from the roof terrace garden and views across the city – and the fifth floor.
This is a new chapter for the Bristol team who, working with their London colleagues as a single integrated UK practice, undertake premium work for premium clients in the firm’s chosen sectors – both in the UK and internationally.
Simmons & Simmons currently holds 16,000 sq. ft. of office space at Linear Park; the move to the state-of-the-art working environment at Aurora will allow the firm to continue to nurture and grow its talented workforce in Bristol. The office will become an important base for Simmons & Simmons.
Bristol office head and financial services regulatory partner, Mahrie Webb commented: “We are very excited to be moving to the new Aurora building and the Finzels Reach location. Since opening our Bristol office in 2012, we have attracted some of the brightest and best lawyers the market has to offer – but we see this as just the beginning. If we are to continue to attract and retain high quality people to do premium work for premium clients we will need an office environment and location that is modern, inspiring and suited for the way people wish to work now and in the future. I see this move as good news for our people and, therefore, good news for our clients.”
Peter Walford, director at Cubex, said: “We are thrilled that Simmons & Simmons will be moving to Aurora and that the building is now 40 per cent pre-let. This represents the second deal we have secured at Aurora, illustrating continued buoyant demand in the city for high calibre office space with outstanding environmental credentials and an important emphasis on staff well-being in the workplace. It is fantastic to see work continuing apace on Aurora and we expect to be announcing more deals in the near future as the building has attracted further serious interest recently.”
Steven Wright, director at Palmer Capital, said: “It is excellent news that Simmons & Simmons will be joining Aurora. This new Grade A office building for Bristol that will provide much-needed office space of the right quality in the right location in a city where there is currently very little supply, whilst setting a new standard in Bristol in terms of its sustainability credentials.”
Aurora is the only building outside London and one of only six in the UK to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ award under the new, toughest rating scheme. It also holds a LEED Gold standard. Aurora is the only speculative office development currently under construction in Bristol.
Once complete, Aurora will consist of six storeys, with its striking façade and double height reception area leading through to a central glass atrium. Key ‘green’ features including rooftop mounted solar panels, intelligent LED lighting, water saving technology and an emphasis on creating a healthy working environment, with fresh air and plenty of natural light from the floor to ceiling glazing. There will be bicycle storage facilities, lockers and showers on site.
Cushman & Wakefield were the advisers for Simmons & Simmons, with Savills and Knight Frank advising Cubex, the developer. Funding was provided by Palmer Capital.
This marks the second deal secured by Cubex at Aurora. Last year, intellectual property specialist Mewburn Ellis LLP agreed to take 13,326 sq ft encompassing the first floor of the building on a 15-year lease. It will move to Aurora from its current base at Queen Square to enable its future expansion.
