The joint venture between Landid and Brockton Capital has signed recruitment firm Austin Fraser as the first tenant at its Thames Tower development in Reading town centre.
Austin Fraser will move more than 100 professionals from its home at One Forbury Square in Reading to the new 195,000 sq ft building opposite Reading station on May 1. It will occupy 14,040 sq ft of the 11th floor on a 10-year lease.
Founded in Reading, UK in 2007, Austin Fraser has offices in Reading, Munich, Germany, and Austin, Texas.
Peter Hart, CEO of Austin Fraser, said: “We’re growing rapidly and need office space that will enable us to continue to deliver the opportunities to candidates and the talent to clients that we’re renowned for. Thames Tower, a stylish, modern building, in the heart of Reading, with great access to the town’s restaurants, shops, bars, and gyms, fits the bill perfectly. "It provides us with the space we need to meet our ambitious recruitment plans and fits with our desire to offer a fantastic place for our people to work. After all, in a business like ours, it’s the people who are the bedrock; when they’re happy they’re able to do a fantastic job and are trusted by clients and candidates alike.”
James Silver, development director at Landid, said: “We are delighted to welcome Austin Fraser to Thames Tower, and we couldn’t have asked for a better first tenant. Their ethos matches our own – lively, innovative and focused on people. We believe their enthusiasm and passion for growth will be contagious within our tenant community, and we look forward to this enduring relationship.”
Thames Tower is located on the pedestrianised piazza, directly opposite Reading’s newly-rebuilt £800 million station,
Originally an 11-storey building, Thames Tower has been stripped back to the frame, the floor plates have been extended and an additional four floors added. It includes a 4,000 sq ft rooftop terrace and sky lounge provides space for occupiers to hold meetings and collaborate on projects. The building’s ground floor has a double height reception area and 8,000 sq ft of restaurants, café and other amenity space. It has 102 cycle spaces, and shower and changing facilities on the basement floor.
Lambert Smith Hampton represented Austin Fraser on the acquisition and project management of the fit-out, and Parkinson Holt and JLL represented the Landid/Brockton JV.
Courtesy of CoStar