Global engineering company Ricardo has snapped up space in the heart of Bristol at offices recently refurbished by developer Robert Hitchins Ltd.
Ricardo is an engineering and environmental consultancy supporting clients worldwide from its 40 locations around the globe. It employs more than 2,900 engineers, scientists and consultants.
Until now it has had two offices in Temple Meads and Orchard Street. The PS21 office complex in Prince Street will be shared by teams from across the Ricardo Group, including its expanded Water & Environment Practice.
The Bristol location is ideally positioned for Ricardo to serve its key water sector clients in the west of England and Wales.
It has taken a ten-year lease with Robert Hitchins Ltd with a five-year break on 1,528 sq ft on the first floor of PS21.
Senior Development Manager for Robert Hitchins Ltd, Michael Plimmer, welcomed Ricardo. “We’re really pleased to secure our third letting at PS21 in such a short space of time. The position near the Harbourside and the quality of the refurbishment has made it a sought-after location for growing businesses,” he said.
Ricardo’s work extends across a range of market sectors including automotive engineering, sustainable transport and scarce resource management. The new office forms part of its ambitions to foster innovation in the UK water industry through closer collaboration with the automotive sector.
Daressa Frodsham, Ricardo’s Water & Environment Practice Director, said: “We are delighted to be moving into PS21. The offices are refurbished to a high spec and are a perfect base in which to bring together Ricardo’s diverse teams and leverage their skills to benefit our water industry clients.”
The letting agents in Bristol are Knight Frank and CBRE.
Andy Smith from Knight Frank said: “Availability in this size band of the market is low, especially if occupiers are seeking high-end accomodation. Securing Ricardo, a globally recognised company, at PS21 is further testament to the quality of the refurbishment.”
PS21 provides light, open office space complete with air conditioning, shower facilities, fitted kitchens, bike store and parking, and close to city amenities and is suitable for a wide range of occupiers.
The offices were the home of the TSB’s 300 finance, communications and HR staff until 2015. They were acquired by Robert Hitchins Ltd and refurbished in 2016.
The first tenants at PS21, former home to the TSB, were the national recruitment agency Blue Arrow, followed shortly by essential business services provider kinex.
Robert Hitchins is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.
