Portsmouth: Vail Williams opens for business from new base at Lakeside business centre

Commercial property consultant Vail Williams is relocating to Portsmouth’s new thriving business district at Lakeside North Harbour. 

Vail Williams’ name plate goes went up on July 1 when the team moved from its previous base of 23 years in Port Solent to the new home at the 1000 Lakeside – part of the city’s fastest growing centre of commerce.

The move reaffirms Vail Williams’ strong commitment to the M27 corridor from Portsmouth to Southampton, offering clients an expert service with local knowledge across the Solent region.

The new office will continue to offer Vail Williams’ full range of services including business space agency, building consultancy, expertise in the marine and leisure markets, valuation, lease advisory, planning and development, property investment and rating.

Regional partner Martin Tice said: “We are delighted to be at 1000 Lakeside which is now the premier business destination in Portsmouth. Being at the heart of activity demonstrates our commitment to the area and the services that we offer the commercial and residential property markets.

“It gives clients across the Solent region – from Southampton to Portsmouth – a dedicated commercial property specialist on their doorstep, delivering a wide range of services with expert knowledge of the local area.”

Since its refurbishment, 1000 Lakeside has become established as a leading business destination, with 25 companies already filling nearly 90% of the office floor space.

Vail Williams is among a series of key players which Lakeside has welcomed over the past few months, with the most recent key letting being to the Portsmouth News, plus the opening of Central Square and its Starbucks and Co-operative Food stores.

Companies already at the business park include high-profile names such as The Southern Co-operative, Capita, Coffin Mew, Hippowaste, Handelsbanken, Babcock and Regus. A new Porsche dealership has also opened there.

Vail Williams played a key role in the transformation of the Lakeside North Harbour business park advising property fund manager Highcross on the acquisition of the site in 2005, providing planning advice for the now consented master plan for development of one million square feet of commercial space, rating advice and business space agency for the offices and other land uses.

Elsewhere in Portsmouth, Vail Williams’ recent activity includes marketing approximately 14.5 acres of industrial land at Voyager Park South where the joint venture owners Roxhill and SEGRO are looking for pre-let or pre-sale opportunities. Vail Williams has also been appointed by Threadneedle, which recently acquired a large portfolio of industrial estates in Portsmouth from SEGRO, making it one of the largest commercial property owners in the area. At Railway Triangle, the company recently concluded a lease of approximately 10,000 sq ft with a further 47,000 sq ft within three separate units currently under offer.