Berkshire: Largest office deal uncorked in Reading pre-let, says Haslams

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TBM Team

In what is understood to be the largest Reading office letting in 2014 to date, Direct Wines has taken a 27,000 sq ft pre-let on two floors at One Waterside Drive, Theale. Direct Wines is taking a long lease at an undisclosed rent.

The 41,000 sq ft building is located 500m off M4 Junction 12 and was previously occupied by Hewlett Packard before the landlord, buoyed by successful lettings earlier in the year on the adjoining building to RFMD and Tenemos, negotiated a surrender of HP’s lease. This triggered a major strip-to-core refurbishment of the property which is due for completion later this month.

PV cells on the roof, a new highly energy efficient M&E system, LED Cat 7 lighting and a generous provision of showers, cycle racks and lockers all helped contribute towards the building achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The specification also includes replacement windows and frames, new lifts and toilets, a new extended glazed reception, new metal tiled ceilings and extensive external re-landscaping.

Commenting on the move David Thatcher, managing director of Direct Wines, said: “We’ve been really impressed with the landlord’s ability to deliver a top-quality product within our timescales and are very much looking forward to moving to our new home in early 2015.”

Two Reading-based agents, Hicks Baker and Haslams, acted for the landlord; Direct Wines was represented by Vail Williams.

The letting leaves only 13,000 sq ft available on the second floor.

TBM Team