Reading: 9 Greyfriars Road wins regional workplace award

Reading offices at 9 Greyfriars Road - developed by McKay Securities, the only real-estate investment trust specialising in the South East - have been recognised as one of the best workplaces in the South of England and South Wales at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) regional property sector awards. The prestigious BCO awards programme recognises the highest quality developments and sets the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector.

9 Greyfriars Road, in the heart of Reading town centre, was named as winner of the Best Refurbished and Recycled Workplace at a ceremony held this evening in the AT-Bristol Science Centre.

The BCO judges were impressed that as well as boasting an EPC rating of ‘A’, 9 Greyfriars Road was the first building in the South East, outside of London, to have achieved BREEAM Outstanding - the world's foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. The care and thoughtfulness that led to this considerable achievement has been applied to every element of the project, the judges said. They noted that the entrance and external hard-landscaping has been reconfigured to make the most of a challenging micro-location and the building has been re-clad in high-quality glazing that flood the floorplates with light. In addition, the judges said the reception feels airy, welcoming and generous for a building of this size, and the materials in conjunction with the colour palette, gives the building a sense of style and quality.

Judging chairman John Wright of Stride Treglown said: “The judging panel was incredibly impressed by all of this year’s projects, and choosing between them was not an easy task. Entries were judged on a range of different criteria including occupant wellbeing, sustainability, flexibility, architectural skill and flair, and above all their effectiveness as a workplace. It is evident how the role of the office plays a key part in regeneration, and ensures the continued attraction and retention of the best talent in the area.”

Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the BCO, commented: “The office sector in the South of England and South Wales continues to grow in strength each year, with entries this year testament to the high-quality design prevalent in the region. Through a bold and enterprising project, 9 Greyfriars Road has been transformed from an obsolete 1980s building into a modern and flexible working environment with excellent sustainability credentials. Alongside the other buildings recognised at this year’s awards, 9 Greyfriars Road sets a standard of quality for future projects around the UK.”

Other workplaces across the South of England that also received recognition included Maersk’s workplace at The Point in Berkshire which was awarded Best Fit-out of a Workplace.