Reading office names South of England's best commercial workspace

Published by

Nicky Godding

No2 Forbury Place in Reading has 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 awards, held at We the Curious, Bristol. The prestigious BCO Awards programme recognises the highest quality developments in the UK and sets the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector.

In addition, the following workplaces won awards:

Two Central Square, Cardiff, Best Corporate Workplace Award
Victoria Gate, Woking, Best Refurbished / Recycled Workplace Award
Herb House, Pukka Herbs, Bristol, Best Fit-Out Workplace Award
Promenade House, Best Project up to 1,500sqm

No. 2 Forbury Place was awarded the Commercial Workplace Award for improving on the first phase of what was an already impressive building situated on the rail route into Reading. Throughout the project the developers considered the use of the space to benefit wellness, sustainability and occupier experience, achieving a quality work place which sets the benchmark for grade-A space in Reading and the wider Thames Valley.

Alistair Allison, Partner at TFT Consultants and BCO South of England and South Wales Judging Chair, said: “This eight-storey building stands prominently on the rail line’s gateway to Reading, with a bold diagrid façade design and bright, flexible and efficient floor plates. The developer has shown a strong commitment to wellness sustainability and occupier experience, not always easy or commercially viable for a speculative building, with very impressive and high-quality shower and cycle facilities.”

Andy Heath, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield and BCO South of England and South Wales Regional Committee Chair, added: “This project formed the second building in the Forbuy Place development and we were impressed that the team took the learnings form the first project and managed to improve on what was already an impressive and successful building.”

The ceremony marked the 11^th year of the BCO Regional Property Awards dedicated to the South of England and South Wales, celebrating the best office space in the country. The South of England and South Wales winners will compete with those from other regions at the BCO National Awards in October this year.

Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe. After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts. She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.