Only a few years ago Easthampstead Road, in Bracknell appeared to be in decline. A number of major occupiers had vacated mainly as a result of the down turn related to the global recession which left the local area having to deal with the consequences. Now, just a few years on, the area has been regenerated and incorporates a diverse mix of uses including a modern business park, a trade park, two fitness centres including a 15,000 sq ft super gym, and a residential apart-hotel scheme aimed at the business market. What a turnaround!
A key part of this revival has been the E-Centre. Formerly known as Enterprise Centre it was until a few years ago owned by a large property fund who had fallen out of love with their investment. However, a local property company T A Fisher with their investor partners saw the potential, acquired the whole development and set about implementing their ideas to revitalise the estate.
The aim was to bring the development into the 21st century and that is what has been done. It’s a combination of inspired design ideas, creative thinking and not an insignificant amount of investment! In summary the E-Centre has been given a new lease of life and today presents a really impressive business environment that is beginning to catch the eye of an increasing number of occupiers.
Most of the improvement works were completed in the summer and already joint sole agents Page Hardy Harris and Fryer Commercial are delighted to announce a number of new lettings.
- Firstly Miles 33 a long-standing occupier of E-Centre have signed a new 10-year lease of Unit 6 (8,322 sq ft) linked to a complete refurbishment provided by the landlords.
- Annodata who took over Keltec signed a new 5-year lease of Unit 2 (5,870 sq ft).
- Key Training who have relocated from Windsor have recently taken a 5 year lease of the ground floor of Unit 3 (3,352 sq ft) and
- IT company Channel C have just completed a new 5 year lease of the first floor of 1 E-Centre (2,578 sq ft).
The entire estate has been restyled and now provides contemporary purpose-built business space in smart landscaped surroundings to meet today’s business needs. Whilst providing good quality office space there are also ground-floor loading doors if required. The refurbishment of Unit 5 will be completed in the next few weeks.
At £15 psf the E-Centre has offered terrific value for money compared to alternative options in the marketplace. Such good value in fact that the quoting rent will be increased to £16 psf on 1 November 2015. It’s still not too late, however, to tie up a letting at the lower figure if prospective tenants can move quickly.
T A Fisher also owns the adjacent Beneficial House in Bracknell, with a comprehensive redevelopment completed in early 2015. This features a superb 24/7 gym on the ground and first floors incorporating the latest equipment. It is without doubt the premier gym in the area. The upper floors are operated as an apart-hotel type facility and feature a range of stylish serviced apartments by another group company House of Fisher. Opened in May 2015 the apartments are already proving incredibly popular with the growing business travel market who seek short-term or extended-stay accommodation.
So in a nutshell E-Centre is a great location to work, work out and then stay!