Detailed planning consent has been received for the three impressive four-storey office buildings of 105,000sq ft, 80,000sq ft and 65,000sq ft set around a landscaped traffic-free central square and Phase 1 of the development started on site in January this year. Construction costs are estimated to be in the region of £40m.

Designed in response to a brief from the developer, Grosvenor, and an aim to provide an innovative and energetic working environment, with maximum flexibility in mind, the buildings are suitable for either a single tenant looking for prestige corporate headquarters or for sub-division to allow for multiple occupancy.

Although the buildings have been designed as individual and distinct from each other, they share a common architectural language and a restricted palette of high quality materials, finishes and 'quiet' colours. Each will be a variation on a theme relating to its size and orientation. The main rectangular form of each building will be wrapped in a 3-storey facade of glazed curtain walling, subdivided into a hierarchy of framed glass panels. Floor edges and column positions will be expressed on the facades with recessed feature channels and the cool transparency of the curtain walling will be contrasted by the warm hues of the sandstone cladding of the perimeter staircase towers.

Occupiers will be able to step out from each of the buildings directly into the square which has both hard and soft landscaping, mature specimen trees and a water feature in the form of a rill. It is hoped that it will be used as an extension to the internal office environment, creating opportunities for informal meetings and offering a unique setting in which to work.