20/6/2008 Third major letting for Port of Liverpool refurbishment

Property group Downing has announced its third major letting at the Port of Liverpool Building since January 2008.

Independent Actuaries and Consultants Barnett Waddingham have taken a 7,920 sq ft refurbished suite at the landmark waterfront building, as a result of their need for a larger Liverpool office.

The deal follows blue chip firms DHL Global Forwarding and Hapag-Lloyd signing leases earlier this year and signals that 20,000 sq ft of refurbished space has been let in the building during the first half of 2008.

Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor at Downing, said: “This letting makes the Port of Liverpool Building one of the city’s best performing commercial properties this year. We are thrilled to welcome another prestigious tenant on board.

“We’re expecting the building to continue to impress prospective occupiers, with refurbished suites of 6,000 and 3,000 sq ft now available and further refurbishments in the pipeline.”

Adam Walker, partner at Barnett Waddingham LLP, said: “The quality of Downing’s refurbishment combined with the building’s stunning architecture made the Port of Liverpool Building a compelling offer. More than 20 staff will make the move over to the new suite when our fit-out is completed in July.”

Downing is investing £10 million to restore the Port of Liverpool Building to its former glory, including the restoration and cleaning of all external facades. Work has now been completed and scaffolding removed along the river frontage of the building. The offices themselves are also undergoing a rolling refurbishment programme to provide open-plan suites that meet the needs of modern occupiers, whilst complementing the architectural integrity of the building.

Barnett Waddingham employs over 400 partners and staff in seven offices throughout the UK. The firm currently occupies offices in the Cunard Building.

IMS (Office Fitting & Design) Limited, (based in West Yorkshire) have undertaken the interior fit-out on a design and build basis and have created a modern office environment; which is sympathetic to the existing architecture within the building. IMS have carried out interior refurbishments for Barnett Waddingham nationwide for over a decade.