At a time when the Cardiff office market is experiencing a real boost, with half year take-up in 2014 rising by more than 100% over the same period last year, Tim Lawley, Associate with Cooke & Arkwright, has joined the firm’s Business Space agency team in a move he says is exciting, both in career terms and because of what is happening in the market.
“This is a really positive move and I am delighted to join the team to broaden my skills and experience,” he said. “The market has become re-energised this year and this is a very stimulating time for the property market. It’s a slightly unusual move in the profession as building surveying is quite a specific field in which surveyors tend to specialise. However, I am keen to develop a broad range of knowledge across the property sectors. The experience I have gained over nine years within the Building Surveying department will enable me to add value and apply lateral thinking to the advice I offer, including specialist advice on the logistics of splitting a big industrial unit for example, or on dilapidations liabilities.”
Properties Mr Lawley will work on include the Stadium Plaza, next to the planned Central Square site where BBC Cymru’s 150,000 sq ft headquarters will be constructed. “It’s surprising that some potential tenants are still unaware that the area will be transformed into such a unique place,” said Mr Lawley. “It’s going to be a very prestigious location and it will be exciting to see its influence across the city in the coming years.”
Tim joined the firm’s Building Surveying department in 2005 and became an Associate in 2013. He worked on a variety of commercial refurbishment schemes, including projects at Brunel House and Churchill House; planned preventative maintenance schemes including Atlantic College St Donats; condition surveys such as the Twin Peaks hanger in St Athan Aerospace Business Park; and conservation projects on listed buildings in Cardiff and the Vale.
Ben Bolton, Director of Business Space said, “The addition of Tim to our team is a reflection of increased activity in both the office and industrial sectors across South Wales. Tim’s background gives him a great perspective on agency projects and his experience will offer clients something new in the team.”
The Business Space team is currently involved in acquiring a new headquarters for Blake Morgan in Cardiff, 30,000 sq ft for Crown Commercial Services in Newport, 15,000 sq ft for Parsons Brinckerhoff, and new headquarters in Cardiff for Geldards, together with a series of requirements for other confidential office and industrial occupiers.
“Take up for the first six months of 2014 is already about the same as for the whole of 2013, which was around 300,000 sq ft,” said Mr Bolton. “It is well documented that in Cardiff the supply of good quality Grade A space is down to an all-time low. Demand is now outstripping supply.”