Major investment in Barclaycard’s former home
More than £3m is being spent on a refurbishment of Boaz House, the former home of Barclaycard, at Teesdale Business Park in Stockton.
The landmark building has been empty since the credit card giant closed down its Teesside operation at the end of 2021 and transferred 970 jobs to Sunderland.
Richard Wilson – Senior Associate with commercial property specialist Dodds Brown which is acting for Boaz House’s owner – said: “We want to see jobs back on this site. The scale of this multi-million pound investment is going to create an environment which is what both businesses and their staff require from the workplace post-pandemic.
“That’s in addition to the stunning location which benefits from both river and canal frontages.”
He added: “Since Christmas the demand for office space across the Tees Valley has shown a significant increase. Most of the grade A office space we currently have on the market is under offer or about to go under offer. Now is the perfect time for Boaz House to undergo an extensive refurbishment to bring it up to the standards occupiers now demand.”
Teesdale Business Park itself is going to be transformed under a multi-million regeneration programme for eight sites across central Stockton and North Thornaby.
Plans for the park include the development of a masterplan for “a new nationally significant health and social care cluster” and the creation of a “healthy, mixed-use location which is a great place to live, work and learn.”
Work on Boaz House will take place throughout the summer and the new look building should be ready for occupiers by early autumn.
There is office space over three floors with flexible floor plates to suit different requirements. Occupiers can be accommodated in suites from just over 5,000 sq ft, for instance, or they can take a whole floor of 18,000 sq ft or even the whole building at 55,000 sq ft. The upper floors are served by three lifts.
Two contemporary reception areas are being provided at either end. “They will really set the right sort of tone for Boaz House businesses as they welcome their visitors,” said Mr Wilson.
The building will have the top-rated – A – Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). There will be solar panels, a new air conditioning system and LED lighting
“The design and facilities – both inside and outside – are intended to allow everybody who will work here to benefit from its fantastic location,” said Mr Wilson.
The grounds by the river will be landscaped and it is just a short distance from Boaz House to the riverside walkways and cycle paths. Teesdale Business Park is also linked by pedestrian bridges over the Tees to Stockton town centre and Northshore. There will be a special secure bicycle parking area and showers and changing facilities are going to be provided.
For people who need to use their car there is a generous amount of parking – equivalent to six spaces per 1,000 sq ft – and a number of EV charging points will be installed. There is easy access to the A66 and A19 and Thornaby train station is just over a 10 minute walk away.
“Boaz House is the ideal solution for occupiers who are looking to upgrade to better quality office space,” said Mr Wilson, “and the planned improvements by Stockton Borough Council to Teesdale Business Park will ensure it remains the premier office location in the Tees Valley.”
For more information about Boaz House contact Richard Wilson or his colleague Stephen Brown at Dodds Brown.