WSP, one of the UK’s leading engineering professional services consultancies, has moved into new office space on Teesside underlining its ongoing commitment to the region through the continued growth of its projects and clients.
Northshore One in Stockton, one of Teesside’s most eye-catching office developments, will welcome WSP as its first new occupier. The space provides stunning views along the River Tees and is owned by Thirteen Housing Group.
WSP has initially taken an office on the ground floor, with future occupiers having the choice of areas between 2,500 sq ft and 20,000 sq ft. The floors are ready fitted out with furniture in place.
A café and meeting rooms will soon be available and there is also an outside terrace which overlooks the river and the nearby Infinity Bridge.
In total, 35,000 sq ft of high-quality office space is available across two wings and three floors.
Northshore One was built by Thirteen and completed in 2015. But it became surplus to requirements as the pandemic accelerated its plans for hybrid working.
Thirteen has appointed commercial property agency Dodds Brown to manage the property and ensure it is operational and ready for new tenants. Knight Frank acted for WSP over its move.
Underlining its ambitious plans for growth in the UK, WSP is embarking on a significant national recruitment drive in 2022, recently announcing its ambition to hire 2,000 new people. In Teesside, where WSP has operated for over 40 years, the firm supports a number of key clients and projects, such as the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA).
WSP has recently been awarded a place on TVCA’s Decarbonisation Cluster Plan Framework, supporting the Combined Authority’s ambition for the Tees Valley region to deliver a net zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040.
Simon Pettit, Technical Director and Location Director for Teesside at WSP, said: “Our search for new premises in Teesside has been extensive and our focus on employee wellbeing, collaboration and sustainability from office space is important to WSP. We’re delighted to move into Northshore One in a high-grade modern office in the heart of the Tees Valley, close to a number of clients and projects we are engaged on.
“Northshore One offers easily adaptable space that perfectly aligns with our plan for local business development and growth, and we look forward to working closely with our colleagues and clients to deliver projects which will support a clean prosperous future for Teesside and its communities.”
Paul Tremble, Chief Strategy Officer at WSP, said: “Teesside will play an important role in the UK’s transition to a net zero economy through the decarbonisation of its industrial cluster, acting as a catalyst for growth in green industries, skills, jobs and the regeneration of the wider area.
"Our new office will provide the perfect space for our people to support their clients and local communities on this journey and I thank them for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Dodds Brown senior associate Richard Wilson said that although Northshore One is relatively new, work has been carried out to make the building suitable for multiple occupiers.
“We are delighted to welcome WSP who are going to benefit from an ideal working environment in a perfect location. Northshore One really fits the bill for companies who, understandably, are keener than ever for better quality buildings which create the working conditions their staff both want and expect,” said Mr Wilson.
As well as its riverside setting Northshore One is a ten-minute walk from Stockton town centre and close to the rail station. There is easy access to the main roads and plenty of on-site storage for bikes. Cyclists and walkers can also enjoy the walkways and cycle paths which go past the building.
“We are in talks with other businesses who are also interested in moving here and we hope to make further announcements very soon. But we would still like to hear from other companies and I would encourage them to make an appointment to view what’s available. This really is an amazing opportunity,” commented Mr Wilson.
Phil Cowan, Head of Commercial Property at Thirteen, said: “WSP is a perfect example of the high-quality professional company we hoped Dodds Brown would attract to Northshore One. We are grateful to Richard and his team and look forward to welcoming further high calibre occupiers. I am sure WSP will continue to flourish in its new setting.”
In October 2020, WSP announced a commitment to halve the carbon footprint of all designs and advice provided to clients by 2030, a first in the engineering consultancy sector.
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