£10m investment into Exchange Quay complete

HUNTER Real Estate Investment Managers has announced completion of its £10m investment into the 433,637sq ft Exchange Quay office development in Salford Quays.

Exchange Quay was acquired by Hunter in November 2013 on behalf of a North American institutional investor the six office buildings of Grade A accommodation and public realm has been updgraded.
 
Exchange Quay’s agency team at Canning O’Neill and Savills has already secured 10 deals totalling almost 60,000sq ft to relocating and existing occupiers and anticipates strong interest now that the results of Hunter’s investment can be showcased.

A key part of the extensive works is introduction of a range of occupier facilities and it was recently announced that Hunter has appointed award-winning site services partner Elior on a five-year contract to introduce and manage the new amenity.

The new occupier facilities incorporate a new restaurant with live cooking theatre, a Costa Coffee branded coffee outlet and a Londis Retail Shop.

As part of its contract Elior will also provide a hospitality service to Exchange Quay, which will cater for meetings, events and functions. An on-site Post Office will also open this year.

Jeremy Birkett-Jones, investment director at Hunter, said; “Right from the outset we recognised the immense potential in Exchange Quay, which was once regarded as the ‘Canary Wharf of the North’.

“It was clear to us that such a prestigious scheme in an unrivalled location in the North West would respond to a dedicated investment programme to modernise the office accommodation and create a whole new environment.”

James Evans, director of office agency at Savills, said: “The Grade A offices at Exchange Quay are hitting the North West office market at just the right time, as occupier confidence has returned and supply is diminishing.

“The transformation has been about so much more than just the office suites, it has addressed the key factor on occupiers’ wish lists – the provision of the right environment for staff and visitors. This, coupled with the accessibility via road and public transport in addition to extensive on-site car parking, has culminated in a very exciting opportunity for the regional office market.”

Exchange Quay’s six office buildings range from 26,151 sq ft to 116,684 sq ft.