October 3, 2011
Highcross
has let 3,619 sq ft at its Toronto Square office building in Leeds city centre to global insurance broker, Willis Group. Since March, the property fund manager has let 18,000 sq ft of office space at the building, with three deals completed in the past two months.
Willis Group, which has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, has taken the first floor space on a ten-year lease. The company is relocating its existing Leeds office, which employs thirty staff.
Will Monaghan, Lease Manager, Global Real Estate at Willis Group, said the decision to move to Toronto Square reflected the building’s high specification: “We were looking for modern, Grade A quality office space in central Leeds, which could be fitted out to meet our standards and provide an appropriate image and environment for our business.”
Since early July, Highcross has attracted four new occupiers to Toronto Square, including specialist healthcare law firm Capsticks which took 4,441 sq ft for its first Leeds office; Bowman Riley, the architects for the scheme, which has taken 1,456 sq ft and independent town planning consultancy, Indigo Planning, which has moved into 2,595 sq ft office space on the sixth floor.
Highcross Senior Asset Manager, Iain Taylor comments: “Toronto Square has demonstrated strong lettings performance over recent months, despite the continuing challenging economic conditions. The building’s success in attracting major professional firms, including most recently, Willis Group, reflects the quality of the specification and the convenient location, right in the heart of the city’s business district.”
Toronto Square is a 90,000 sq ft BREEAM Excellent office scheme, which was completed in 2009, following a major re-development and extension programme. The building provides Grade A office space, with secure courtyard parking, and benefits from a range of environmental initiatives including air source heat pumps for heating and cooling, areas of green roofs and a green recycling hub.
Agents for Toronto Square are CB Richard Ellis and Knight Frank. BNP Paribas acted for Willis Group.
