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Cabot House bolsters city's Green Capital campaign
Although not due to be completed until 2010, more than 75% of the Deanery Road development has already been pre-let, with the Environment Agency taking on 70,000 sq ft on a 20 year lease.
Cabot House developers, Westmark, met with letting agents, King Sturge, and Bristol surveyors, Williams Gunter Hardwick, this week to inspect the start of work on the foundations.
The Environment Agency, which is responsible for protecting and improving the environment throughout England and Wales, has chosen to site its new national HQ at Cabot House - a move which will involve the relocation of up to 1,000 staff.
When it is completed, the five storey scheme will feature 150,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, including 78 apartments (a third of which will be affordable), together with retail and leisure facilities.
Andrew Hardwick, director of Williams Gunter Hardwick, who represented the Environment Agency in the deal, said that the building would set a new green standard for future developments in the country.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Environment Agency to act as a mentor to other occupiers looking to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise their energy costs."
"As Green Capital, Bristol is fast becoming a centre of excellence for environmental businesses such as Wind Prospect, and the arrival of the Environment Agency in the city centre will be a catalyst to attract other organisations in the sector," Andrew adds.
The Environment Agency will be merging its current offices in Aztec West, Westbury-on-Trym, and Twerton, Bath, in a bid to improve efficiency. As well as estimated savings of £180,000 per year, the Environment Agency is aiming for the building to be carbon neutral by 2012.
Euan Cresswell of developers Westmark, commented: "We are delighted that the Environment Agency has chosen Cabot House as the locationof its new HQ. Their move here is testament to the scheme's green credentials, as well as being a boost to the city's Green Capital intiative."
The offices at Cabot House have been designed to achieve an excellent BREEAM rating and will feature natural ventilation, rain water harvesting, renewable energy sources, as well as a green management plan to reduce the amount of waste going off site.
ENDS October 2008
Issued on behalf of Williams Gunter Hardwick by Venture Public Relations. For further information, please contact Corrina Cockayne on: 0845 223 9889 or 07765 404616.
