CB Hillier Parker has been instructed to find space for the second-largest requirement ever for a B1 site outside London.
A mystery US technology firm has an active requirement for 111,480 sq m (1.2m sq ft) in the South East as part of a global expansion. It is understood that the company has asked CBHP to analyse and advise it on the most appropriate site according to demographics, amenities for staff and value.
Industry sources suggest that the requirement has come from either telecom company Nortel or Sun Microsystems, both clients of CBHP.
Nick Compton, head of business space, would not be drawn on the identity of his client. He said: “We are searching for a major site in the south of London.”
Slough Estates Farnborough airfield development is thought to top the list of potential sites. The former RAF headquarters would more than meet the requirement, comprising three buildings totalling 23,500 sq m (2.5m sq ft).
A source close to CBHP said: “CBHP is agent on the site, code-named project Farnborough, and has draped that and the requirement in secrecy. It might be trying to make the two ends meet.”
Cisco Systems took the largest ever prelet outside London in July – more than 116,125 sq m (1.25m sq ft) at Green Park, south of Reading.
EGi News 23/09/00
