£5m office building given new lease of life

A Newcastle firm is close to completing the transformation of a £5m office block to provide a fresh and modern central workplace for a range of organisations.

Work by the city’s premier commercial fit-out specialists, Aptus, will conclude later this month at the rebranded Hadrian Newcastle, which was acquired last year by SONA Estates.

The eight-week project, which has included the remodeling of the common part areas at the building formerly known as Hadrian House, has already led to a new letting and a lease renewal.

Existing tenant Zurich Insurance Group has committed to a new 10 year lease, while global charity Oxfam has taken occupancy of a 3,800 sq. ft. suite in the property which is located behind Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery.

SONA Estates director Omar Pabani said: “We have carefully considered the consumer journey from the external approach into the building and throughout, with the ultimate aim of delivering something special for Newcastle’s office occupiers.

“Having previously seen other Aptus workplace projects, we knew they were proactive and solution-orientated, making them the ideal partner to help us provide a space that businesses would be proud to occupy.”

The property’s reception and entrance areas have been modernised, with a new canopy installed, and new areas created for tenants, including breakout and touchdown spaces designed for casual working and informal meetings.

Lobbies and lifts have also been refurbished with new lighting, ceilings, finishes and furniture whilst the building’s occupiers and their guests will also benefit from new fibre WiFi.

Chris Price, commercial director at Aptus, which is based at Hoult’s Yard, said: “We’d like to thank SONA Estates for giving us such a great opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact a project like this can have on the appeal of an office building, and to showcase what we can do to add value to a portfolio.

“It’s been fantastic to work on a scheme as creative and collaborative as Hadrian Newcastle.”

Established for more than 13 years, Aptus provides design build and furniture schemes in full or part  in workplace, healthcare, education and leisure.

Suites at Hadrian Newcastle are available at annual rents of £12 per sq.ft.