Work on a new 10-storey office scheme in the centre of Cardiff has reached a landmark with a topping out ceremony marking its tallest point.
The 113,000 sq ft grade A office project at John Street, which will be able to accommodate 1,000 workers, is the latest development from property development firm JR Smart, which is behind the adjacent seven acre Capital Quarter scheme which has delivered and let over 370,000 sq ft of office space.
While a new hybrid model of office working is emerging as a result of the pandemic, there are currently three significant live office requirements for Cardiff with a combined square footage of around 200,000 sq ft.
All three are from the private sector with two firms already based in South Wales looking for new office space to expand. The other is a relocation from elsewhere in the 海角视频. The largest requirement amongst the three is for up to 90,000 sq ft.
The office scheme at John Street, known as 1 John Street, could be a potential location for some of the live requirements, alongside other schemes in the city including the revamped Hodge House and Fusion Point One office buildings and the planned office element of the Central Quay mixed-use from Rightacres on the former Brains Brewery site.
The latest office scheme from JR Smart and its 13,000 sq ft floor plates, will feature a range of amenities including a tenant’s business lounge, coffee shop, secure cycle storage and a yoga suite. It’s 3,500 sq ft roof-top terrace will provide tenants views across the city and beyond. It is currently the only grade A office under construction in the capital.
Gareth Smart, managing director of JR Smart said: “Reaching this advanced stage of construction during the remarkable challenges of the Covid pandemic is a tribute to the determination of our development team to get the job done, including, our sub-contractors – many of which are local businesses.”
Leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas said: “Despite Covid-19, Cardiff is still experiencing demand for grade A office space and it’s important this demand is met as we look to recover from the pandemic and look to bring new jobs to the city.
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“Historically Cardiff has had a lack of grade A office space, compared with other core cities in the 海角视频, so addressing that is an important part of our economic strategy and I’m delighted to see the progress made on the John Street development.
“There is little doubt that the pandemic has changed the way businesses and organisations operate, but there will always be a demand for high-quality office space in the city, even as part of any businesses’ hybrid-working model.
“As the city recovers, the need for office space should increase even further and this new development combines high-quality office space with a range of amenities for tenants to use, as well as bicycle storage to encourage active travel which is good to see.”
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Global property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed as sole letting agents at John Street. Mark Sutton, partner in Knight Frank’s Cardiff office agency team, said: “ Once complete the building will provide superb office space capable of accommodating more than 1,000 staff.
“There has been an under supply of prime office space in Cardiff for several years, and John Street is the only new office building currently being speculatively developed in the city.
“There is a growing view among occupiers that the office will continue to play a key role in their operational strategy moving forward.
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"However, the employer and the staff physically occupying buildings will demand more from their office space – in terms of the quality, specification and the amenities available as well as how the communal areas interact with the office floor. John Street takes all of these requirements into account and, as a result, we are confident that it will be of huge appeal as we return from Covid.
“JR Smart’s commitment to build out a development of this size in such extraordinary times is huge testament to their confidence in Cardiff’s strength as a 海角视频 regional business destination.”
The John Street office building recently became only the second in Wales to achieve a Wired Certified Gold rating for its digital connectivity and infrastructure.