Old Fire Station turns up the heat with law firm move

A growing firm of patent attorneys is to take space at its Old Fire Station development in York.

Secerna is to take just under 3,000 sq ft of office space and is expected to complete its move to the city centre site when fit-out is completed next month.

The firm represents multi-national corporations, FTSE and NYSE listed companies, universities, spin-out companies, small businesses and innovators worldwide.

The Old Fire Station development is a joint venture between Helmsley Group, which offers commercial property syndication, development finance and property development and is the owner of the site, and fellow York-based property development business London Ebor.

The announcement comes as Helmsley Group marks the completion of the residential phase of the scheme at the £14.5m mixed-use scheme in Clifford Street. A total of 14 town houses and apartments have been built out by Caddick Construction and have hit the market.

Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, said: “The lack of available quality office premises and scarcity of new build homes in York city centre has been well documented and property at Old Fire Station has therefore been much in demand.

“It is extremely pleasing to welcome Secerna as our primary commercial tenant and welcome additional workers into the city’s economy. The firm is expanding and the space is being fitted out to the highest specifications to reflect its status.”

Secerna co-owner and partner, Charlotte Watkins, said: “We’re looking forward to beginning the next phase of Secerna’s growth from new premises in the city centre and continuing to attract clients and staff, both from the local area and further afield.

“The new office will give us a superb base with room for further business growth and will also make it easier for our team to access York’s great transport links to our clients in other parts of the country, as well as our Newcastle office.”

The development blends the history of York with contemporary design, cleverly retaining aspects of the original buildings, whilst providing new homes ideally suited to modern living.

Reeves added: “Helmsley Group and London Ebor are setting a new benchmark in York for quality with this project, which offers something strikingly different to what has traditionally been offered in York.

“Across the city and wider region, Helmsley is doing much to support occupiers and home buyers of all levels, including first time buyers, and we look forward to continuing this trend, supporting the wider economy and driving sympathetic investment and development.”

The Old Fire Station site is steeped in history, and key characteristics from the building’s past have been retained, including its façade which dates back to its use as a chapel in 1856. Firefighters previously working at the site have relocated to purpose-built facilities at Kent Street fire station.

Carter Jonas in York is marketing the residential properties at Old Fire Station on behalf of Helmsley Group and London Ebor.