Milburngate development certified to be one of UK’s best for internet connectivity

Plans to futureproof the first phase of a city centre office development by ensuring it provides the highest level of digital infrastructure have been endorsed by an international technology standard.

The soon-to-be-built speculative office building at Milburngate, in the heart of Durham City, has become Wired Certified Gold by New York-based WiredScore.

As a Wired Certified Gold project, the 5,000sq metre building’s design and construction will support ‘best-in-class’ internet infrastructure and superior internet connectivity with a high-level of resilience.

WiredScore, which was founded in 2013 in the US, was launched to improve New York’s technology infrastructure and support entrepreneurial businesses.

Two years later, WiredScore established itself in the UK, becoming the official Mayor of London Digital Connectivity Rating Scheme.  Since then it has expanded, not only across the UK outside of London, but into other areas of Europe including France, Ireland and Germany.

The Milburngate office building, which will create capacity for more than 400 new jobs in Durham City, is part of the phase one development of the riverside location that will also include a mix of nationally-recognised, premium leisure operators and 153 built-to-rent, high-quality apartments.

Milburngate is being delivered in joint venture by the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership, which secured the £120 million forward-funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management for the construction of the first phase that begins later in the spring.

Allan Cook, managing director of Durham-based Arlington Real Estate, part of the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership, said: “Milburngate is part of the long-term economic prosperity of Durham City and this certification highlights our ambition to attract high-calibre office tenants that can create employment and thrive in the city.”

Ben Holmes, on behalf of the Richardson family, said: “High-quality internet is one of the main factors for tenants considering office space requirements along with location.

“Milburngate’s position at the heart of Durham speaks for itself and now, with this certification, prospective tenants have the connectivity information they need when making their office decisions.”

In a letter to the developers, William Newton, president of WiredScore, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and we commend the developers’ commitment to keeping the building at the cutting-edge of technology.

“Achieving Wired Certified Gold demonstrates their dedication to meeting and exceeding their future tenants’ connectivity requirements to the highest calibre of technological superiority.”