First phase of major new Slough office development tops out.
Regeneration specialist U+I’s development, The Future Works, which is a key part of the wider £450 million Heart of Slough regeneration project, has ‘topped out’ reaching its maximum height. Construction is on track and the development is due to be completed in Q1 2018.
The Future Works is the first phase of a £160 million investment at the gateway to Slough, forward funded by AshbyCapital, and will provide 100,000 sq ft of prime office space. In total, the three-phase development will create c.350,000 sq ft of office accommodation across three striking buildings designed by Sheppard Robson.
The project will bolster Slough’s status as one of the most productive towns in the UK, with the highest concentration of global corporate HQs outside of London. It will mark a new standard for office space in the Thames Valley, adding to the line-up of leading UK and international companies already located in Slough and creating over 1,000 jobs upon completion.
The Future Works is situated on a 2.5-acre site fronting Wellington Street and is adjacent to the train station - which will welcome the Elizabeth Line in 2019 - the bus station and the recently rejuvenated high street.
Phase one will incorporate a double-height feature entrance foyer, flexible floorplates of up to 14,700 sq ft, secure basement parking and shower and changing facilities. The development will also include two spectacular west-facing roof terraces on the top two floors.
Designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, The Future Works has also been recently awarded a Platinum rating by WiredScore, an initiative backed by the Mayor of London, confirming the building as one of the best in the UK for connectivity.
Simon Hesketh, Development Director, U+I, said:
“We wanted to bring a first-class development to Slough to complement the wider regeneration of the town centre, including the new bus station and The Curve. The Future Works is already an exciting new feature on the Slough skyline and will create an impressive new gateway to the town. We are on target to complete the first phase of these high-quality new offices in Q1 2018.”
“It’s an exciting time to be investing in Slough, as the town continues to go from strength to strength. Slough is already acknowledged as one of the most productive towns in the UK and is set to continue as a first-choice location for major occupiers who demand the best facilities, in great value locations with fast access to central London.
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Slough is already home to major businesses including O2, HTC, McAfee, Fiat, Reckitt Benckiser, Akzo Nobel, Mars and Stanley Black & Decker.
With journey times of 15 minutes to London Paddington, 20 minutes to Heathrow, 1 hour to Oxford and an economy of £2.5 billion, Slough is increasingly being seen as an attractive destination for global businesses.
Bowmer & Kirkland is constructing The Future Works. Letting Agents are JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
The Real Experience @ The Future Works, a pop-up café has recently opened on-site, supporting and training unemployed local people and helping them back into work. Through a partnership with local social enterprise The Real Experience, participants have the opportunity to receive training in customer service, food and beverage preparation, the hospitality sector and life skills, whilst putting them into practice in a supportive environment.