Expansion sparks relocation for Handelsbanken

SWEDISH bank Handelsbanken has announced it will move to 3 St Paul’s Place in Sheffield, the first speculative office building to be developed in the city since the recession, in the New Year.

The bank will relocate from Tudor Square after signing for 3,500 sq ft of office space at 3 St Paul’s Place, the final part of the pioneering £130m Heart of the City project.

David Topham, director of Manchester-based developers CTP, said: “Handelsbanken’s decision to relocate to 3 St Paul’s Place is a resounding endorsement of our development. It is also extremely encouraging that a company with Handelsbanken’s reputation for quality, service and excellence has chosen our building as their base in Sheffield. They join global civil engineers Arup at 3 St Paul’s Place.

“Our decision to develop a speculative Grade A office building in Sheffield in the midst of the recession has been vindicated and we are very proud of the quality of the office space we have created. There is now strong interest in the remainder of the building and we look forward to announcing new tenants in due course.”

Handelsbanken has been in Sheffield since 1957.

Clare Ibbotson, branch manager of Handelsbanken, said: “Sheffield Tudor Square are delighted to announce that they will be moving in to 3 St Paul’s Place early in the New Year. As the longest established branch within the South Yorkshire area, the move is to facilitate the continued growth of our business.

“3 St Paul’s Place was seen as the ideal choice in terms of first-class, quality office space with superb facilities in a key central location, which matches our aspirations. We see this as underlining Handelsbanken’s long-term commitment to Sheffield and its customers. Our branch office in Barker’s Pool, which serves the Don Valley, will be retained.”

Simon Hesketh of co-developers U+I said: “We are delighted to have been involved in delivering 3 St. Paul’s Place, a first class office development for Sheffield. The letting to Handeslbanken underlines the quality of the building and will help to further establish it as a significant new commercial centre for the city.”

The marketing agents for 3 St Paul’s Place are the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, with the Leeds offices of BNP Pariabas and DTZ.