First look at £20m office plans for city (From Romsey Advertiser)

First look at £20m Aqua office plans for Southampton

8:20am Friday 23rd March 2012 in Hampshire Business By Matt Smith , Politics and business reporter

THIS is the first look at a prestigious new £20m office block planned for Southampton city centre that could become the headquarters of a major firm.

Development Securities, the firm behind the nearby Carnival HQ, has unveiled the artist’s impression of the seven-storey, 60,500sq ft office development as it launches a search for tenants ahead of its construction.

The offices, known as Aqua, are set to be built in West Quay Road, next to the new Premier Inn hotel, which opened last May.

Development Securities director Julian Barwick said: “Once complete, Aqua will be the best new office development in Southampton, which currently has a very limited supply of high-quality commercial space.

“The final phase of West Quay’s regeneration is under way and, once complete, will provide a great location for businesses looking for quality office space.”

Property agents CBRE and GVA have been jointly appointed to let the building, which could house about 600 workers.

City councillors granted planning permission for the hotel and flagship office block in September 2009 but the recession stalled its construction.

Royston Smith, leader of Southampton City Council, which has a development agreement with Development Securities for the site, said: “It demonstrates that Development Securities and others have confidence in the city which is really encouraging. We know developers and funders are looking at Southampton as a place to invest.”