Knight Frank is managing a £3.5m refurbishment programme for one of Sheffield’s most iconic central office buildings.
The building consultancy team at the Sheffield office of Knight Frank is overseeing the comprehensive alteration works at the eight-storey Fountain Precinct for owners, the Kames Property Income Fund.
Improvements include new landscaping on the approach, changes to the spacious entrance reception, a collaborative Work Lounge with informal and cafe-style meeting spaces and external terrace, while refurbished office spaces will benefit from new air conditioning and LED lighting. A new retail/restaurant unit is also to be constructed.
The refurbishment is being carried out by contractor Office Principles North Limited and is expected to be completed in Q2 2020.
Jonathan Ingleby, partner and head of the Building Consultancy team at Knight Frank in Sheffield, said: “Our role in building consultancy is project managing the multi-million pound refurbishment and alteration works which has now started. Overall completion is anticipated for May next year.
“Improvements to the office suites will include new suspended ceilings with LED lighting throughout, new air conditioning and new finishes expected of a high quality CAT A office refurbishment. In addition to the traditional CAT A office refurbishment works, an “urban feel exposed services” option is to be provided comprising an exposed structural soffit and service installations.
“These are exciting changes for one of Sheffield’s best known buildings.”
Karen Fox, co-manager of the Kames Property Income Fund added: “Situated in a highly desirable location in Sheffield city centre, Fountain Precinct is set to be an outstanding office space. We are delighted to be making significant improvements to the building for the benefit of both current and
prospective tenants.”
Knight Frank is also joint letting agent with CPP on the available 34,000 sq ft of office accommodation in the 100,000 sq ft building situated next to Sheffield City Hall at Barker’s Pool.
Peter Whiteley, partner and head of the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, added: “Fountain Precinct has always had strong appeal to professional services businesses looking for a prime, central location.
“Its position, right in the centre of the city, opposite John Lewis and adjacent to the City Hall at Barkers Pool, yards from the Heart of the City and new retail developments, close to the legal quarter and shopping at Fargate, The Moor and Division Street, is superb. This new refurbishment project means this prestigious office space will offer a more inspiring environment for both new and established businesses to thrive.”
Current tenant, 3Squared, has recently committed to expand within Fountain Precinct by taking approx. 8,650 sq ft on the second floor, an increase of over 5,000 sq ft from their current suite. The combined Cat A/Cat B will be completed in mid-February 2020.
Fountain Precinct’s other occupiers include Handlesbanken, 7 Legal and Finance, Aon Ltd, Quidco.
