Sheffield Office Lettings August 2019

According to the latest market statistics released by Commercial Property Partners, 57% of office take up in Sheffield in Q2 2019 was ‘out of town’.

The figures released by the commercial property agency showed that 39,304 sq. ft of the total 68,745 sq. ft take up was outside of the city centre. The total for H1 2019 increased to 266,196 sq ft, 34% more when compared to the same period last year.

CPP also reported a particular increase in demand for Grade B facilities, which accounted for 48,280 sq. ft of the total take up, at 70%.

A total of 15 deals occurred over the three-month period, the most significant of which was the take up of 20,000 sq. ft by education publishing house Twinkl at Hallamshire Business Park.

The figures also revealed continued activity within the professional and business services sector, with companies such as Etico Group securing 7,803 sq. ft at St James House, and Gleeson securing 5,510 sq. ft at Europa Court.

Meanwhile, the city region’s growing number of creative industry businesses accounted for 9,735 sq. ft of space, with Egress Software agreeing a five-year lease for a 7,500 sq. ft Grade A suite, following a recent announcement to grow its workforce from 90 to at least 120 people in 2019, and becoming partners of Sheffield Digital.

The development pipeline remains limited. Despite 27,000 sq ft of speculative space being delivered in Q2, Grade A availability remained limited with 85,000 sq ft being marketed in Q2. Works due to complete on just 81,000 sq ft of office space split between Steel City House and the NUM Building.

Sheffield City Council has signed up developer Scarborough International Properties to lead the expansion of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Over a dozen new buildings planned for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The developer will spearhead the major regeneration project in the lower Don Valley area, initially aiming to build 750,000 sq ft of business space for the sport, health and well-being sector.

Scarborough plans for its first project as preferred development partner a building of around 40,000 sq ft of office space, close to Sheffield Hallam University’s ‘Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. Scarborough expects to commence work on its building early in the New Year.