Two businesses are on the move into the region’s £30m ‘smartest office’ in Newcastle city centre.
Hedgehog Lab and Naylors Gavin Black have become the latest tenants to sign up for space inside One Strawberry Lane – the building described as the city’s first ‘plug and play’ space where all the tech has been installed to make life as easy as possible for its users.
The building, launched at the start of last year, has colourful breakout spaces, a cafe, meeting pods, cycle storage, showers and open-plan workspace, and it is one of only 80 buildings in the world to receive Smartscore certification – the highest possible global accreditation for modern buildings – making it the most technologically advanced in the region.
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One Strawberry Lane is already home to Connected Voice and Armstrong Watson and is the head office for Home Group. After spending 10 years at Generator Studios, bosses at tech consultancy Hedgehog Lab said they wanted to move into One Strawberry Lane after looking for a base which was great to look at, while promoting collaborative working.
Sarat Pediredla, CEO and co-founder at Hedgehog Lab said: “Following our acquisition of Netsells at the start of 2023, it’s the perfect time to settle into a new homebase for our extended team and enhanced service offering.
“Strategically, One Strawberry Lane’s focus on environmental impact and renewable energy was the ideal choice for new offices as we start our journey toward a B corp certification.”
Commercial property specialist Naylors Gavin Black has signed a 10-year to take 3,000sqft of space on the second floor of the building. The company is fitting out its office ahead of moving in this spring.
Managing partner Angus White said the move will better support the wellbeing of its 38-strong team, and offer great spaces for client meetings, and boosting its green credentials.
He added: “As a business we are constantly evolving but never faster than in the last few years, post-pandemic. The office upgrade is part of our strategy to attract and retain the very best people, reduce our carbon footprint, improve our employee benefits, strengthen business development and boost our reputation as a dynamic, progressive team of professionals.”
Nathalie Baxter, head of workspace at Home Group which owns the building, said: “One Strawberry Lane is the only office space in the North East to have secured Smartscore accreditation. This means it’s a smart building that places people and community and its heart, and the smart tech is used to enable those organisations to thrive.”
