A £1m refurbishment programme has begun to transform a building at a North-East business park to provide highquality, air-conditioned office accommodation.

The 12,000 sq ft building's original name of Carbury House will also be reinstated as part of the redevelopment.

Vardy Property Group, which bought at Preston Farm Business Park in Stockton a year ago, is creating a completely new interior including adding a new first floor to provide modern, open-plan office space, as well as facelifting the outside of the building on Concorde Way.

Stuart Wakefield, the company's director responsible for building projects, said: "We are installing new suspended ceilings, air-conditioning and a platform lift as well as toilets and a modern, spacious reception area, all with high-quality finishes.

"Externally, the building is getting bigger windows and a more prominent entrance.

The new-look building will make it a prestigious gateway to Preston Farm Business Park."

Greg Davison, development director with Vardy Property Group, said: "Carbury House already benefits from being in an excellent location, close to the A66, A19 and airport.

"The conversion and upgrade will transform it from a general business unit to a high-specification office space finished to a very high standard but at a discounted cost to occupiers when compared with the equivalent brand new building.

"The rent will be set at a level that is between that of a basic specification office and a new building. In effect, occupiers will be getting brand new office accommodation but not at the higher rent associated with a new build."

"Located within a growing business community, Carbury House will make a great headquarters, for example for a professional services company, but we are not restricting our marketing to any particular sector or indeed to a single tenant."

Bishop Auckland-based Grove Reed is carrying out the conversion, which has been designed by Howarth Litchfield Partnership of Durham.

Carbury House is being marketed by David Jackson at Sanderson Weatherall on 01642 870870.