St Modwen has secured UK-based recycling, renewable energy and waste management company Viridor as the first commercial tenant at the £270m Firepool scheme in Taunton, Somerset.
The deal will see Viridor, which is based in Taunton, move into a 21,950 sq ft headquarters office at the 17-acre scheme, for which St Modwen is development partner for Taunton Deane council.
St Modwen expects to start construction during the second quarter for completion in summer 2012. The building will be built to BREEAM “Excellent” standard.
Firepool is the first phase of Project Taunton, a 123-acre regeneration scheme. Firepool will provide around 500,000 sq ft of office space and more than 400 flatss and town houses, plus retail and leisure facilities including cafes, bars and a hotel.
Pete Davies, development manager for St Modwen, said: “Securing a major national business with UK-wide operations as our first commercial occupier is fantastic news for Firepool and Taunton. We have already secured outline planning consent and are ready to progress development in 2011. We are now actively marketing the scheme to other commercial occupiers, who will enjoy an unrivalled setting by the River Tone within a short riverside walk of the town centre facilities and mainline railway station.”
Gareth Griffith, estate manager for Viridor, said: “Moving to new head office accommodation is an important step in meeting the future needs of the business within a top-quality development.”
Daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
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