200 jobs created as refurb programme pays off
A £3m refurbishment programme has seen a rash of new lettings at the 68,000 sq ft Friars House, Coventry, creating 200 jobs.
The programme has seen office accommodation and air conditioning upgraded throughout, with four lettings totalling 25,000 sq ft agreed in the past month as a result.
New lettings include housing charity Reall who have taken 6,880 sq ft on the 6th floor, along with digital training company We Are Digital and data management company Kagool who have transitioned to conventional space from flexible office space with Fig Offices, also located in Friars House. In response to business growth Fig have now expanded into an additional floor within the building, taking their space to approximately 13,760 sq ft over two floors.
FI Real Estate Management’s (FIREM) recent lettings have seen occupancy at Friars House increase from 45% to 80%. Only two floors now remain vacant at the building.
A spokesperson for FIREM said: “While this investment illustrates our continued commitment to Friars House, most importantly these tenancies demonstrate the continued appetite for Grade A office space from SMEs in Coventry. Businesses here are flourishing and the success stories of those like Kagool and We Are Digital show the strength of the Coventry business community.”
Andrew Berry of joint letting agents Cushman and Wakefield said: “We are not only delighted by the success of this building but also for what it means for Coventry. As a result of these lettings another 200 jobs have been created which is testament to the recent improvements in the City that has driven even greater demand for well specified property such as Friars House”.
Holt Commercial are joint letting agents with Cushman & Wakefield.
