Helix Property Advisors, on behalf of a pension fund client, has secured two new lettings at the former Leicester Mercury building, now known as Mercury Place, in Leicester city centre.
Global insurance company Aon Benfield, which is currently based on Vaughan Way in the city, is relocating its regional office to the 65,000 sq ft Mercury Place, taking 10,000 sq ft on the third floor, on a 10-year lease at an annual rent of £147,400. This reflects an office rent of £13.50 per sq ft.
Meanwhile, Nedis UK is also relocating to Mercury Place, taking 3,000 sq ft of unrefurbished, ground-floor office space on a five-year lease at an annual rent of £25,000 (£8.50 per sq ft).
Mercury Place is one of the most prominent buildings in Leicester city centre.
John Proctor, director of FHP Property Consultants, letting agent on the building, said: “The dramatic growth of the internet and digitally based media world undermined the strength of the regional offices, leading to rationalisation within this sector of the market and the potential uncertain future for the Leicester Mercury building.
“But the continued investment and the rebranding of the scheme as Mercury Place has created high-quality offices in the centre of Leicester that are yielding success.”
Existing tenants include Charles Stanley, the Leicester Mercury and Daily Mail Group IT operations. Around 18,000 sq ft remains available in the building.
CBRE advised Aon Benfield; Nedis UK was self-represented.
