Newcastle’s Citygate II Hits Full Occupancy Following Strategic Letting
Newcastle’s prime office market has reached a significant milestone as Citygate II, a flagship office development in the city centre, has officially achieved 100 per cent occupancy.
The building’s final vacancy was filled by Ridge, a leading national built environment consultancy, which has secured a 1,582 sq ft suite on the third floor. The transaction, facilitated by joint agents Knight Frank and Savills on behalf of landlord Topland Vintage, marks a successful conclusion to the leasing campaign for the property.
A Seamless Transition
Ridge, which currently operates 16 offices across the UK, has relocated from its previous premises at The Spire on Pilgrim Street. The move was driven by a requirement for a high-quality, “plug-and-play” workspace that could accommodate the firm’s rapid regional growth.
The new office environment is designed for modern collaboration, featuring 16 dedicated workstations, an eight-person meeting room, two specialized video call pods, and an expansive kitchen and breakout area. By opting for a fully fitted space, Ridge successfully bypassed the significant upfront capital expenditure and extended lead times typically associated with commercial office fit-outs.
The entire transaction was executed with remarkable speed, reaching completion just over two months from the initial inquiry. In addition to securing the lease, Knight Frank also managed the comprehensive fit-out works, ensuring the space was ready for immediate occupation.
Meeting Modern Workplace Demands
The deal underscores a broader trend in the commercial property sector: the rising demand for high-specification, move-in-ready office solutions.
“This was a particularly positive transaction, not least because of the speed at which it came together,” said Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank. “The letting highlights the continued appeal of high-spec, fitted and ready-to-occupy office accommodation, as businesses increasingly look for solutions that can provide greater cost certainty and reduce the time required to establish a new workplace.”
Steve Pope, group director at Topland, echoed this sentiment, stating: “We are delighted to complete our leasing activity at City Gate II and to welcome such great new occupiers in Ridge and Jacobs, to complement our roster of excellent tenants.”
Continued Expansion
For Ridge, the relocation is a direct response to the firm’s flourishing presence in the North East. Paul Heron, partner at Ridge, noted that the Newcastle team has outperformed growth projections over the past year, necessitating a larger, more sophisticated footprint.
“It was important to us to create a workplace our team can be proud of while remaining close to our clients in the city centre,” said Heron. “Our new office delivers both, providing the room we need to grow over the coming years from a prime location in the heart of Newcastle.”
As local companies continue to prioritize high-quality professional environments, the success of this built environment consultancy in securing its new headquarters at Citygate II serves as a testament to the ongoing vitality of the Newcastle office market.
