Southampton: Cortex expands into new offices at Kings Park House

An automation software development company in the South is the first occupier at a city centre building which has undergone a London-style HQ transformation totalling more than £2 million.

Cortex, which specialises in intelligent automation software and solutions, has signed a 10-year lease on the top floor of four-storey Kings Park House in Kings Park Road, Southampton.

Property consultancy Hughes Ellard acted for RT Warren Investments in the deal, with 30 Cortex staff relocating from the city’s Ogle Road.

Cortex’s new Grade A office accommodation is 3,426 sq ft, including a balcony, with room to double the workforce under expansion plans. Quoting rent was £21 per sq ft.

Russell Mogridge, the business space director at Hughes Ellard, which covers the Solent region, said: “Cortex is the first business to sign up, taking the top floor, with the second floor already under offer to a law firm.

“We expect the building to be fully occupied by the end of this year, given the superb quality of the refurbishment and interior remodelling, which cost more than £2m and saw the whole property stripped back to the core. The remaining space would suit a business seeking 3,000 to 7,500 sq ft in the city centre.

“There is a dearth of Grade A office stock available in the city centre, further fuelling demand from expanding businesses such as Cortex.

“Kings Park House, located close to Jurys Inn Hotel, has been transformed to a London-styled HQ office building, with contemporary interior design and state-of-the-art building management technology. What’s more it has on-site car park - a rarity in the city these days.”

Eddie Watson, Cortex’s operations director, said: “We’d been searching for some months for the right office - Kings Park House fitted the bill because of the excellent environment, adaptability of space and location. We have room to double employee numbers and the vibrant break-out area and informal working space has proved a hit.”