Haslams have secured a joint agency at The Blade, Reading’s landmark office tower owned by Aviva Investors. Following an agency pitch in the Summer on the 110,000 sq ft 14-storey block in the town centre, the agents appointed are now Knight Frank, who have been retained, alongside Bray Fox Smith and Haslams.
Julian Cobourne, asset manager at Aviva Investors, said: “There is a lot of interest in the building at present as the market improves and we felt it was time for a new push and a change in the marketing provision.
The building, which Aviva developed with PMB Holdings, launched in 2009. Around 35,000 sq ft is now occupied.
Emma Goodford, head of South East offices at Knight Frank, said: “The Blade is a fantastic building that is experiencing increased interest as tenants are becoming increasingly prepared to sign up for the best in quality.
Tenants are: Hays Recruitment and Roc Search, the UK research outsourcing firm which occupy 11,095 sq ft between them across part sixth and seventh floors; Kaplan Financial, the educational firm which signed for 14,000 sq ft on the ground and first floors in October 2009; Urban Science, which occupies 8,200 sq ft on the 12th floor; and Megabyte.
The building offers floors of 8,190 sq ft with the capability to sub-divide to suites of 2,350 sq ft.
Neil Seager, partner at Haslams commented “We are delighted to have been instructed on Reading’s only iconic office and we look forward to helping Aviva add to the tenants already in occupation. Outside of London there are very few offices which are landmarks. The Blade is certainly the exception and it’s status is unique.”
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Neil Seager
BSc (Hons) MRICS