High Wycombe: House of Fraser to be converted into offices

Motcomb Estates has appointed Chandler Garvey and Cushman & Wakefield to find office tenants for the repurposed 50,000 sq ft former House of Fraser at the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe.

The offices - to be known as Eden 25 - are a redevelopment of the House of Fraser department store in the Eden Shopping Centre, one of 31 stores shuttered from its 59-strong portfolio as part of last year's CVA restructure.

The move by Motcomb underscores the increasingly imaginative options landlords are pursuing on the High Street and malls to deal with the shrinking demand for space among traditional retail occupiers.

The property will deliver a ground floor double-height reception, created by removing part of the existing first floor, and will also introduce a new retail space.

Chandler Garvey said the second and third floors, arranged around a glass atrium, will offer floor plates of circa 25,000 sq ft, available as a whole, or with the opportunity to be split to accommodate various occupiers’ needs.

It added: "Eden 25 will distinguish itself through the creative re-use of the House of Fraser building and the huge contribution it will make to the High Wycombe town centre, and Buckinghamshire property market.

"The office space has been designed to provide everything needed for the modern tenant, including the flexibility to customise everything from the design of the kitchen and communal areas, to the occupation density of the workplace."

There is an increasing focus among landlords on alternative uses for leading department stores and the success of the Eden project in High Wycombe will be keenly followed by the market.

Source: CoStar