The GMI Construction Group-built 65,000 sq. ft speculative office building at Sheffield Digital Campus, Endeavour, is to be home to BT Group, developer Scarborough Group International (SGI) has announced.
Work began in June last year, with practical completion scheduled for early 2023, and the global technology and telecoms firm is expected to occupy the Grade A BREEAM Excellent office building later in the year, following completion of its CAT B fit out programme to feature the latest technologies and collaborative workspaces.
The fourth and final building of the Sheffield Digital Campus to be delivered by GMI Construction Group, Endeavour marks the completion of 15 years of development and the creation of around 243,000 sq. ft of business space, home to major household names including Sky, IBM, Kennedys and Atkins, supporting up to 2,500 skilled jobs.
BT Group has signed a 15 year-lease on the building to create an office hub capable of accommodating around 1,000 colleagues. Endeavour not only anchors the Group as one of Sheffield’s major private sector employers, but the deal is understood to be the largest office letting in the city centre since 2016 and the largest at Sheffield Digital Campus.
Designed by CJCT architects, Endeavour features an impressive double-height reception, seven highly efficient and flexible floorplates of up to 10,323 sq. ft each, 4,844 sq. ft of ground floor amenity space, club-class changing and shower facilities to promote active-travel, and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic skyline views.
Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “The way we work has evolved significantly in recent years and the leasing success we’ve achieved at Sheffield Digital Campus, despite the challenges impacting both the construction sector and the evolution around the use and future of ‘the office’, is testament to the quality of the workspace and the environments we continue to create as a Group.
“In order for organisations to attract and retain the best talent, they need to provide workplaces that go above and beyond in terms of flexibility, accessibility, sustainability, wellness, technology and amenity provision, and that’s precisely what we have done with Endeavour.
“BT Group’s letting is not only significant because it represents the largest single office letting in Sheffield for six years, it is also a long-term commitment to the city and a major vote of confidence for the regional economy, sending a strong message to any other businesses looking to locate in Sheffield that the city has strong credentials as a place to invest, recruit and grow.”
Andrew Hurcomb, GMI Construction Group’s Divisional Managing Director, Yorkshire, said: “The letting of Endeavour marks a significant moment as we move towards completion, not only of this building but of the Sheffield Digital City complex, and is an example of what can be achieved through our long-term and trusted partnership with SGI.
“GMI is proud to be at the forefront of delivering one of the city’s most iconic office schemes, in a prime business location, and one that will do much to stimulate economic growth within the city region.”
Brent Matthews, BT Group Property Director, said: “Despite the economic challenges and changes to working patterns caused by the pandemic, we think this is an important investment and it secures our presence in Sheffield and Yorkshire. This investment follows.
“Endeavour provides us with the perfect location in the heart of the city and surrounded by the renowned Digital Campus, which reflects the growth, creativity and ingenuity which are core to BT’s work.”
The announcement involving BT Group follows hot on the heels of SGI’s 133,117 sq. ft pre-let – also built by GFMI Construction – at Thorpe Park Leeds in February 2021 involving leading credit management company, Lowell, which represents the largest single out of town office deal ever recorded in West Yorkshire and the biggest property transaction in the Northern Powerhouse region over the preceding twelve months.
Endeavour has been funded via a joint venture agreement between SGI and Metro Holdings of Singapore, supported by a £4m mezzanine loan from the SCR Jessica Fund alongside a £10 million Senior Loan from The South Yorkshire Pension Fund, both of which are managed by CBRE Capital Advisors.
