Property professionals take 166,691,897 steps towards ending youth homelessness for LandAid in October

More than 500 property industry professionals have now taken enough steps to walk three times around the world during October. They were taking part in Steptober, the first industry-wide step challenge sponsored by Abstract Securities. The event has now raised over £100,000 for LandAid, the property industry’s charity. 

Steptober challenged property professionals to walk, jog or run to see which team of four could log the most steps throughout October – improving mental and physical wellbeing whilst raising money to end youth homelessness. The challenge came to a close just in time for the annual LandAid Day on 1 November, property’s biggest day of fundraising, which saw property companies taking part in wacky and wonderful activities across the UK. 

The event culminated with a prize giving on LandAid Day, kindly hosted by CMS. Four coveted prizes were given out. Leach Rhodes Walker Architects Team CJG walked away with the Team with the Highest Step Count Award, logging a staggering 3,056,138 steps between them and holding the top spot since the off. They were closely followed by Leach Rhodes Walker Ltd Team JB and Northern Scam in second and third place, respectively.

#4CEOs4Steptober, David Atkins of Hammerson, Chris Grigg of British Land, Robert Noel of Landsec and David Sleath of SEGRO, clearly won the Highest Team Fundraiser Award, sponsored by IPSX having raised over £45,000, enough to fund at least 3 beds spaces for young people who were homeless.

Archie Blair, Abstract Securities won the Individual with the Highest Step Count Award taking 1,106,032 steps – an average of 35,000 steps a day. The North won the Location Outside of London with the Highest Step Count Award, sponsored by Gerald Eve. 

The challenge was made possible due to sponsorship from Abstract Securities, support from media and data partner EG, who promoted Steptober each week throughout October, and Prize Giving sponsor CMS. 

This year’s LandAid Day saw the property industry doing even more to raise money to end youth homelessness. Paragon BC, one of LandAid’s newest Foundation Partners, undertook a company-wide challenge to cycle the distance between Lands End to John O’Groats – a massive 874 miles! Goldcrest Land planned an inventive race across London, where teams vied to be the first to get from their offices in Fulham to Hoxton, using a different mode of transport each. A whole host of other companies, such as British Land, Knight Frank and PwC all took part in an assortment of unique activities throughout the day, raising even more to help end youth homelessness in the UK. 

Paul Morrish, Chief Executive, LandAid: ‘At LandAid we always know that our audience can be competitive but we’ve really seen this taken to the next level during Steptober – from running marathons, to climbing mountains, from taking in steps in Paris to San Francisco, even to me making the most of walking meetings – we’ve seen the property industry step up once again to end youth homelessness. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and in particular to the #4CEOs4Steptober, who have now not only taken time out of their busy schedules to get competitive but also raised over £45,000 for LandAid! I have certainly enjoyed my first Steptober. LandAid Day was a little different this year, but we still saw the usual weird and wacky fundraisers from our supporters. All of which prove the great steps the property industry can take towards ending youth homelessness when it unites. Thank you.’ 

Mark Glatman, Founder and Chief Executive, Abstract Securities: ‘It has been an absolute pleasure to be the headline sponsor for the first ever Steptober. I have been wanting to have an industry-wide step challenge for a long time, knowing that this was a great way to harness the competitive nature of LandAid’s supporters. It’s been a great way to motivate my staff to get active, with some like Archie, from Abstract, who took home the prize for the most steps taking this challenge to the extreme! Thanks so much to everyone who took part – every step you took has taken us one step closer to ending youth homelessness.”

ABSTRACT ANNOUNCES JULY COMPLETION FOR THE FLORENCE BUILDING, BASING VIEW

Mark Glatman's Abstract Securities has announced that its associate company, Abstract (Basingstoke) Limited, will complete The Florence Building, its ‘uncompromising value’ office scheme, on 23 July 2018. It will be the Town’s first new speculative offices in 15 years offering the lowest cost per work station in the South East of England. Furthermore, 203 under-cover car parking spaces, will provide the best car parking ratio of any new speculative Town Centre office building in the South East. 

A landmark development located in Basing View, Hampshire, The Florence Building comprises 60,535 sq.ft. of ‘Grade A’ space on ground and four upper floors. Notably, the building offers flexible, virtually column-free floorplates from approximately 9,200 sq.ft. to 12,400 sq.ft. It is designed to a BREEAM 'Excellent' 2014 and an EPC 'A' rating to provide some of the most efficient and environmentally friendly office accommodation available.

The interior will be finished to a full Cat A standard including air-conditioning, suspended metal ceilings, LED lighting and raised floors.  A contemporary reception area will feature a double-height glazed atrium space, while lockers and shower facilities on the ground floor are adjacent to 48 secure covered cycle spaces. There is potential for up to 24 electric vehicle fast-charging points.

It is the fourth in a series of Abstract’s “uncompromising value” speculative office developments and follows on the heels of successful developments in Gatwick, Croydon and Glasgow, where a similar methodology has been well received by the market.

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, said: "Our scheme represents a superb opportunity for occupiers to take highly cost efficient space in Basing View, in a London-quality building with the ability to incorporate the latest workplace initiatives.  For example, the 'cost per workstation' based on an occupancy of 1:8m2 per person in the Florence Building is just £3,400 per annum when compared with £3,700 in Farnborough,  £4,800 in Reading and £5,600 in Guildford. Total occupancy cost in The Florence Building is over 75% lower than the West End core and nearly 30% lower than in central Reading*.”

A prime business location, Basing View offers an unparalleled location to enhance profitability and work life balance. It benefits from Enterprise Zone status with a new £10m landscaped public realm and a dynamic mix of office, retail and leisure amenities for staff. 

Just eight minutes’ walk to the train station (42 minutes to London, Waterloo) and just five minutes’ walk to leisure amenities;  a new proposed Village Hotel with gym, swimming pool, café and meeting/events space will soon join John Lewis Home and Waitrose.

Basingstoke is a rapidly growing town and one of the most affluent in the UK, surrounded by exceptional countryside with access to a significant pool of talent and easy access to some of the most desirable residential addresses.

The scheme is designed by TP Bennett and Bowmer & Kirkland is the contractor.  Savills and RARE are jointly marketing The Florence Building.

(*Source: Savills and Rare 2018. Comparable buildings outlined above are based on occupational densities between 1:8m2 and 1:10m2)

Visit http://www.theflorencebuilding.com/video/   and   www.theflorencebuilding.com for further information on the development.  For Abstract Securities visit www.abstractsecurities.com.

Further information:  Pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com / mobile 07833 490964

Raising The Bar - The Florence Building

WATCH FLY-THROUGH VIDEO SHOWCASING THE FLORENCE BUILDING AND BASING VIEW, BASINGSTOKE, A KEY SOUTH EAST BUSINESS DESTINATION

http://www.theflorencebuilding.com/video/

Mark Glatman's Abstract Securities has announced that its associate company, Abstract (Basingstoke) Limited, has unveiled a new fly-through video that provides a preview of The Florence Building its new ‘uncompromising value’ office building and showcases Basingstoke, a key business destination in the South East.

The Florence Building is a new 60,000 sq.ft. office development and the first new speculative office building in the Town in 15 years.  Comprising ground and four upper floors, the building has been designed to offer optimum, virtually column free floor plates from approximately 9,200 sq.ft. to 12,400 sq.ft.  Due to complete on 23 July 2018, it will also include 203 under-cover car parking spaces.

Mark Glatman, chief executive of Abstract said: “With works now well underway, we are proud to bring The Florence Building to the market at a time when we are seeing occupiers upgrade their accommodation to the highest specification to attract and retain the best staff.  Our development offers 'uncompromising value' and is the first new-build office in the Town in 15 years.

“This video gives a contemporary overview of Basingstoke as a business destination, and all that the Town has to offer, providing sweeping external and interior views to each of The Florence Building’s floor plates.

“The building will deliver a high quality 'Grade A' specification with top environmental credentials targeting a BREEAM 'Excellent' and an EPC ‘A’ rating.  A tight design and procurement process will offer occupiers the lowest cost per workstation of any new build office in the South East.  For example, the cost per workstation based on an occupancy of 1:8m2 per person in The Florence Building is £3,400 per annum, when compared with £3,700 in Farnborough or £5,000 in Reading. Total occupancy cost in The Florence Building is over 75% lower than the West End core and nearly 30% lower than in Reading.*

“Basingstoke is the third fastest growing and seventh most affluent town in the UK, with access to a significant pool of talent.”*

A prime business location, Basing View offers an unparalleled location to enhance profitability and work life balance. It benefits from Enterprise Zone status with a new £10m landscaped public realm and a dynamic mix of office, retail and leisure amenities for staff.  The site is just an eight minute walk to the station (train time - 42 minutes to London, Waterloo) and just a five minute walk to leisure amenities; a Village Hotels with gym, swimming pool, café and meeting/events space will soon join John Lewis Home and Waitrose. 

The scheme is designed by TP Bennett and Bowmer & Kirkland is the contractor.  Savills and RARE are jointly marketing The Florence Building.

* Source: (Savills and Rare 2017).

Visit www.theflorencebuilding.com for further information on the development and Abstract Securities. 

Further information:  Pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com / mobile 07833 490964

Abstract Glasgow sale

In one of the largest investment transactions in Scotland in recent years, a vehicle associated with Starwood Capital Group, a private investment firm, has acquired the entire share capital of Abstract (Glasgow) Limited, the company which developed and owns the St Vincent Plaza office development in Glasgow.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The 12 storey BREEAM excellent EPC A office building which comprises 172,307 sq ft is multi let to a range of occupiers including KPMG, Whyte and Mackay, Scottish Ministers, Mott Macdonald, Wood Group and Zurich Insurance. 

The building was completed in late 2015 and is located in a prominent position on St Vincent Street opposite the new HQ for Scottish Power. There are strong levels of interest in the two remaining floors.  

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract commented: “St Vincent Plaza is the third of our ‘Uncompromising Value’ series of office buildings and it is always satisfying to see the outcome of a good project.  We are delighted that Starwood has recognised the quality of this building and the strong and diverse income stream we have created from the fantastic range of tenants who have been attracted to the property.’’

Christopher McPherson, Development Director added: “We have been working on this project for a number of years and it is great to see the stewardship of the property move to the next stage. The remaining floors in the building are the best new office space left in Glasgow and with no new development likely to come on stream for at least 2 or 3 years we are confident that it will fully let up soon.’’

James Fogarty, Vice President for Starwood Capital Group said “We are excited about the acquisition of St Vincent Plaza which is the first European acquisition for our recently established vehicle focussed on Value Add opportunities. St Vincent Plaza is a well-designed, high quality asset in a strong location with good transportation links – all of which has helped to deliver the very strong tenant roster. Glasgow has very limited Grade A vacancy, almost no new supply, and will continue to be a strong occupational market for the right asset.”

Lambert Smith Hampton and CMS acted as financial advisors to Starwood Capital Group.  Pinsent Masons acted for the shareholders of Abstract (Glasgow) Limited.

For more information contact:-

Mark Glatman – Abstract Securities Limited

mark.glatman@abstractsecurities.com

020 7747 8272

Tom Johnson or Pat Tucker for Starwood Capital Group

tbj@abmac.com/pct@abmac.com

+1 (212) 371-5999