Engineering consultancy Hydrock has moved to larger offices in the centre of Cardiff to accommodate its expansion plans.
The firm has taken 5,288 sq ft of space on the third floor of office building Wharton Place on a 10-year lease. The space was being marketed at £17.95 per sq ft.
The company has moved from smaller offices on Cowbridge Road East in the Canton area of Cardiff. Property consultancy Knight Frank acted on behalf of LaSalle Investment Management in the transaction and McNeil Consultants represented Hydrock.
Hydrock’s Cardiff office employs more than 60 people and at its new location it plans to increase that to 85. Its projects in the region include Landore Court in Cardiff, Central Quay, Techniquest, and further afield Llys Cadwyn in Pontypridd, and the Palace Theatre in Swansea.
Wharton Place has undergone a major £1 million refurbishment, designed to retain the character of the original building while delivering new office space, entrance lobby and remodelled full height atrium and break out space.
Dan Beynon, Hydrock’s regional director for Wales,said: “We have established a leading presence in Cardiff as a fully integrated engineering, energy and sustainability consultancy, and this office move gives us scope to expand still further whilst enjoying the flexibility that hybrid working offers us.
“Our love for eye-catching design spotted the exposed timber roof structure of Wharton House, and I know we will be pleased to call this space home for Hydrock in Wales.”
Mark Sutton, partner at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “The landlord’s investment and approach in refurbishing Wharton Place has very cleverly brought the building bang up to date in terms of its design and appeal to those seeking a working environment to attract employees back into the office, while retaining the period features that make the building so distinctive.”
Knight Frank and Cooke & Arkwright are joint letting agents on the Wharton Place building.
Mark Siddons at Cooke & Arkwright said: “Wharton Place has a great location for city centre amenities and excellent existing tenants, including book retailer Waterstone’s on the ground and first floors and advertising agency Golley Slater on the second floor.”
Hydrock has its HQ in Bristol.
