Deloitte South West has confirmed it is on the move after it signed a deal with Cubex to occupy 22,500 sq ft in the heart of Bristol.
Currently located across two offices in Rivergate and Bull Wharf, the move will see over 600 people migrate to one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings – Halo at Bristol’s award-winning Finzels Reach.
With Deloitte due to exit its current buildings early in 2023, the move will not just be supportive of Deloitte’s commitment to become net zero but will also be designed to reflect Deloitte’s hybrid working model – with a workplace that offers a range of spaces to help fuel creativity, wellbeing and generate more collaboration across the business.
The transaction follows continued investment in Bristol, including the expansion of the firm’s technology consulting capabilities with the launch of its specialist hub – TechWorks – in addition to the firm’s promotion of one partner and seven directors in 2021 as well as the latest cohort of almost 60 graduates and BrightStart apprentices.
Martyn Gregory, practice senior partner for Deloitte South West, said: “The way we work has changed and the lease expiration on both our offices in Bristol has provided an opportunity to re-model our workspace to meet our needs now and in the future.
“We have invested significantly in our South West business and the deal with Halo Bristol not only reinforces our commitment to the region and local communities, but also our commitment to provide a sustainable and inspiring place where our people can work as the business grows.”
The decision to move from two offices into a single, sustainable building follows the principles set by Deloitte’s head office at 1 New Street Square, London, as the largest office in the world to achieve leading certifications for being both an exemplar green building and one designed to enhance the wellbeing of its people. It also aligns with Deloitte’s ‘WorldClimate’ programme, which is responsible for the firm’s commitment to becoming net zero and a major factor in choosing Halo Bristol.
Set to be one of the UK’s most sustainable offices, Halo is the first office building outside of London to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification against new sustainability assessment criteria[1] and an EPC A rating with Deloitte occupying two floors.
The 116,000 sq ft office building, which features cutting-edge digital connectivity, is due to complete this summer.
Using smart technology, the office space will have fully automated smart controls, energy efficient lifts, intelligent air quality management, rapid electric car charging facilities and almost 150 secure cycle spaces. This is reflected in the building achieving a ‘best in class’ Platinum Cycling Score rating and WELL Core Building certification, one of the first buildings in the UK to do so.
Gavin Harrison, head of sustainability at Deloitte UK, added: “Decarbonising our real estate operations and transitioning to 100 per cent renewable electricity is not only essential to meet Deloitte’s WorldClimate targets, but is also supportive of our regional practices’ commitment to local net zero strategies.
“Our real estate portfolio has a large impact on sustainability, so this is a key factor when leasing new workspaces. The sustainable credentials of Halo Bristol, coupled with its close proximity to the city centre and public transport network, makes it the ideal choice for both the firm and our people.
“Creating sustainable offices that balance our responsibility to the planet with a focus on wellbeing makes our working environments unique and reiterates our commitment to our people.”
Peter Walford, director at Cubex, said: “We are thrilled that Deloitte will be moving to Halo which is setting a benchmark for sustainability, wellbeing and digital connectivity in office design.
“It’s very exciting to see this landmark building approaching completion and phase two of Finzels Reach becoming a reality. This deal is an important step in continuing the regeneration of this significant city centre brownfield site in Bristol’s medieval heart. We are looking forward to confirming occupiers for the remaining space very soon.”
Halo forms a key part of the second phase of Finzels Reach, the new mixed neighbourhood by Bristol Bridge and the Floating Harbour, which is fast-becoming a hub for professional and creative companies.
Deloitte in the South West is already working with public and private companies to improve and shape green growth within Bristol and across the South West and Wales, and was the official sponsor of the Green Growth in the Western Gateway Powerhouse conference which took place on 8 March 2022.
Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton are the lettings agents on Halo and JLL advised Deloitte.
[1] Halo has achieved BREEAM Outstanding accreditation for ‘Shell & Core’ and ‘Cat A Fit Out’, meeting new sustainability assessment criteria. It has scored 90.3% and 87.4% respectively. This combined score is the second-best score to be awarded in the UK to date, and the first development outside of London to achieve it.