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It will also become a natural working partner to the University’s established digital cluster of more than 70 ambitious startup and early stage companies with high-growth potential. The TVSP already has 80,000 sq ft of fully-fitted laboratory and office accommodation on its Whiteknights campus.


At Shinfield, a further major 800,000 sq ft commercial campus is being developed, with its first ‘Gateway’ building offering 70,000 sq ft of quality offices and laboratories, providing specialist space for innovative technology-based companies.


The ‘Gateway’ will also provide facilities for companies requiring high internet connectivity, clean rooms or similar specialist requirements, plus collaboration and café amenity space.


The TVSP will be positioned as a centre of innovation for the vibrant Thames Valley economy, providing entrepreneurial businesses with access to world-class talent linked to the University of Reading – one of the UK’s leading research- intensive universities.


The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting is sited just across the M4 but ECMRW assistance would not be needed to forecast a bright future for the TVSP.


In Theale, near M4 J12, Nokia is set to move into 40,000 sq ft at Arlington Park’s triple unit Grade-A lakeside refurbishment The Hive.


Just off M4 J11, the Kier Property 20.5- acre Reading Gateway site, former home of Hewlett Packard, is currently being redeveloped as a mixed-use scheme set to provide 175 homes, a 120-bed hotel, retail, showroom and warehousing units.


At Island Road, near Green Park, Peel Logistics and Rockspring Investment’s new industrial and urban logistics development has arrived this spring, offering three warehouse units of 56,000 sq ft, 73,000 sq ft and 127,000 sq ft.


Greater Reading’s existing modern business parks – from Arlington Park at Theale in the west, to the International Park and the huge Green Park with its M4 landmark wind turbine, to Thames Valley Park and Winnersh Triangle further east – all now offer value-added amenities such as hotels, conference facilities, transport- links, leisure, dining and shopping opportunities.


Interestingly, the three largest office deals of 2016 in Greater Reading were all on business parks.


businessmag.co.uk READING NUMBER 1 CITY UPDATE – JUNE 2017


New town centre office developments


However, Reading’s in-town office sector, increasingly focused near the impressive railway station and heritage Forbury Gardens and Reading Abbey ruins, is fighting back with added-value appeal – space and leasing flexibility, dramatic architectural designs, lifestyle amenities and concierge facilities for office occupiers to create a vibrant atmosphere and collaborative working environment.


Like several other Thames Valley towns, Reading is regenerating its ‘city’ centre, having already pedestrianised its central Broad Street and redeveloped the former Courage brewery site into the major Oracle retailing complex. Above the Broad Street Mall, the town’s other key shopping centre, the 1960s 8-storey Fountain House has been substantially refurbished by owners Moorgarth.


Several previous business locations have been or are being redeveloped with stylish 21st century Grade-A office buildings – and increasingly mixed-use variation.


Opposite Reading Station, the former home of Foster Wheeler, has been extensively refurbished by Landid and Brockton Capital with four floors added and now called Thames Tower offers 186,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space complete with exposed services internal styling and roof terrace views over Reading.


Near to The Blade, Reading’s striking and highest contemporary landmark, The White Building has freshly arrived providing collaborative co-working


The White Building


business space and also a rooftop terrace above its 93,145 sq ft over eight floors.


Previously home to Prudential, the former Alpha Building now rebranded as Kennet Place at the Kings Road/Forbury Road junction is also undergoing a substantial refurbishment and will deliver a further 69,462 sq ft to the market this summer.


Following the successful pre-let of a similar building to energy giant SSE in 2015, the latest phase of M&G’s speculative development – 2 Forbury Place – is due for completion this autumn. At over 195,000 sq ft, it will be the town’s largest new building.


M&G Real Estate’s latest UK market outlook assesses Reading’s office sector as well positioned to weather uncertainty arising from Brexit negotiations.


Residential and lifestyle development


‘Greater Reading’ is also beginning to address its housing shortage.


Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson Homes Southern and the University of Reading – the consortium supporting Wokingham Borough Council’s designated South of M4 Strategic Development Location – are currently progressing construction of roughly 2,500 new homes around Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross.


Moving closer into Reading the recently approved Royal Elm Park project involves the transformation of undeveloped land into a mixed-use development with Madejski Stadium at its heart, providing


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