ES Group ensures RSPB has a flutter at Broadwalk House

Acting on behalf of Princesshay, a joint venture partnership between The Crown Estate and TIAA Henderson Real Estate, nationwide property and asset consultancy ES Group has let 4,717 sq ft of 4th floor office space at Broadwalk House, Exeter to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (‘RSPB’).

The 15 year lease deal, secured by ES Group’s Exeter team, is the most significant ‘in-town’ Exeter office transaction in the last 12 months, and commences what is expected to be an increasingly busy market going into 2015.

With a history dating back to 1889, RSPB is the largest nature conservation charity in the UK. In early 2015 the charity will join other well-known occupiers at Broadwalk House including Ernst & Young, Charles Stanley, RBS and Tozers Solicitors.

Over 20 RSPB staff will be situated at the location, alongside a large following of volunteers. The accommodation signed for, which is located  within the north block and is accessed by two passenger lifts, has a modern specification of raised floors and carpeting, alongside a central heating system.

Broadwalk House, which comprises circa 60,000 sq ft in total, is arranged over three blocks at the top of Southernhay, Exeter’s principle ‘in town’ business district. RSPB will relocate from its current premises at Southernhay Gardens, where a significant number of office to residential conversions have recently been carried out as a result of the current permitted development rights for change of use from offices to residential dwellings.

Exeter has seen a significant amount of lost office space within the central business district as a result of the temporary measures introduced by the coalition government, designed to reduce the pressure on the current high demand for housing.

Philip Ellis, Surveyor at ES Group’s Exeter office, commented: “We are delighted to welcome such a high profile tenant to Broadwalk House. Being situated on the fourth floor above the surrounding roof tops to the east and south, the suite benefits from good levels of natural light, in addition to basement level car parking facilities. There are a variety of other suites available on a number of levels and we continue to experience strong interest from potential occupiers.”

RSPB represented themselves in the transaction.