MCarthy & Stone takes 10-year lease on Holdenhurst Road offices in Bournemouth8th October 2014

UK retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone has taken a ten-year lease on 21,050 sq ft of office space at 100 Holdenhurst Road - one of Bournemouth's best known commercial buildings.

McCarthy & Stone will take over the entire fourth floor, which consists of open plan office space that was formerly occupied by Abbey Life.

This is the second deal at Holdenhurst Road to be arranged by property consultancy JLL, who at the end of last year let the third floor - totalling 23,429 sq ft to international insurance brokers Arthur J Gallagher.

Eleanor Hussey, senior surveyor at JLL said: “This is the second letting in less than a year for 100 Holdenhurst Road, signalling renewed confidence in the market.

“Interest in this contemporary commercial building has remained high even through the recession, particularly as it’s the only facility the town has to offer with such large floor plates. We’re delighted to have found a single tenant with such a perfect match in terms of their requirements.”

David Cowling of Cowling & West, who represented Arthur J Gallagher in negotiations, said: "This letting removes a sizeable proportion of the available office stock in the town. Bournemouth is growing short of good quality office space, although rents will need to rise significantly before any new development can be justified."

Written by Richenda Oldham