Reading: TA Fisher unveils plans to bring new life to 100 Kings Road
Thames Valley developer TA Fisher has placed the contract to start the multi-million-pound conversion of the former office building at 100 Kings Road, Reading, into a mixed-use scheme. Formerly the office of Royal Sun Alliance, the building along with its distinctive exterior sculptures, is undergoing a new lease of life and is 100% pre-let.
Buzz Gym, a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility, will occupy the ground and first floors totalling 10,000 sq ft. It will be run and managed by the co-owners and team behind the award-winning Advance Gym on Friar Street. The upper floors of the development will become a high quality apart-hotel for House of Fisher, the foremost provider of executive serviced apartments in the Thames Valley. Work is due to start this month and the gym is planned to open in Spring 2013 and the apart-hotel in November.
TA Fisher’s deal with Advance Gym and House of Fisher is one of the largest pre-let schemes in Reading since the global financial crisis and the first hotel-led development since the property crash.
John Fisher, TA Fisher managing director, said: “100 Kings Road is a project that we are very excited about. The fact that the development is being built to the highest standards and is already 100% pre-let makes this an even more significant and exciting investment for Reading. It will bring a greater vitality to this part of town.”
This section of Kings Road is currently undergoing major regeneration and metamorphosing from an area of disused offices into a vibrant and desirable living neighbourhood. In the heart of Reading's vibrant town centre, the development is only a short walking distance from The Blade, the Oracle and main shopping amenity area, bars and restaurants. It also benefits from transport links with the railway station only a few minutes walk away.
The House of Fisher apart-hotel will include 55 furnished, executive studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom/two-bathroom suites. Each will be finished with contemporary interiors throughout, air-conditioning and on-site private parking.
Featuring the biggest free weights space in Reading and fitted with some of the industry’s top-of-the-range gym equipment including cardio machines, strength training, functional training and a combat zone, the £1 million Buzz gym will be, says a spokesman, the best offer in RG1. Andy Stowell, managing director and co-owner at Advance Gym, added: “Buzz Gym is an extremely exciting fitness development in Reading. We offer affordable gym membership at a facility outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment in a central location.”
