Lettings latest: Vital signs up to the Soapworks; plus Vibe Studio and Leigh Business Park
INDUSTRIAL recruitment firm Vital Services Group has taken 20,000 sq ft at the Soapworks development in Salford.
The letting represents the entire first phase of the scheme, the Boilerhouse, and is said to be the biggest office deal in Salford Quays since ITV took 60,000 sq ft at MediaCityUK in 2010.
Vital will take all five floors of the Boilerhouse at the scheme which has been developed by asset manager The Carlyle Group and joint venture partners Nikal and Abstract Securities.
The Boilerhouse, which completed earlier this year, is the first phase of a 400,000 sq ft redevelopment of the former Colgate-Palmolive factory.
Ben Du Boulay, director of The Carlyle Group, said: “This letting is a significant step forwards for the Soapworks regeneration project, and reflects the quality of the space that we have created in this property. With its unrivalled transport connections, the scheme offers tenants excellent accessibility to both Manchester City Centre and MediaCityUK, and premium quality office accommodation at rents that are less than half the level of comparable space in Manchester City Centre.”
Greg Ball, associate director at agent Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “The deal with Vital Services Group is the largest and most significant letting in Salford Quays for two years. The new transaction with Vital reinforces Soapworks’ position as a vibrant and sustainable commercial office destination within Salford Quays and MediaCity.”
John Smith, chief executive at Vital Services Group, said: “This deal gives us a pivotal position in the most sought after office building in the region. The Boilerhouse allows us to expand across the group business but also enables us to keep our connections in the local area. The Boilerhouse met our desires as a business to stay committed to the Salford Quays area as the building is well-located for our staff.”
Jones Lang LaSalle and Canning O’Neill are joint agents on the Soapworks scheme. Nigel Hunter, director of Edwards & Co, advised Vital.
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DESIGN agency Vibe Studio has signed a 12-month lease on a suite at 61 Mosley Street in Manchester.
The building is owned by Manchester-based Crystal, a sister company to Hurstwood.
Other tenants include Rullion, AM 2 PM Recruitment and Branded Product Protection Services.
Vibe creative director Radu Prepeleac said: “The central location, good rates and choice of office size were all factors in choosing an office at 61 Mosley Street. Being a design studio we needed a well presented space in which we can work and be creative all day, every day.
“The big bonus, besides the quality of the premises, is the location which allows us to meet easily with our clients, suppliers and like-minded people in the industry.”
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H&B Foods, which trades as The Cheese Cellar supplying fine cheese and speciality foods, has taken a unit at Leigh Business Park.
The firm has signed up to 3,500 sq ft unit 8, Commonwealth Close which is owned by Northern Trust.
The business joins Rainbow International, Corporate Direct and Travtec paying £5 per sq ft. Nolan Redshaw acted as joint agents alongside JLL.
