THE Mandale Group, owner of Newcastle’s prestigious West One building, has let the entire 10,000 sq ft top floor to Balfour Beatty for ten years.

The West One building is located at Forth Banks, between The Central Station and The Quayside. It comprises a ten-storey building with the top four floors offering 44,500 sq ft of office space with access to the bottom six floors of secure parking situated next to an impressive 13-storey residential tower.

“We are delighted that Balfour Beatty has taken the decision to occupy our prestigious West One property,”

said Joe Darragh, estates director at the Mandale Group.

“We have always had absolute confidence in the location by the River Tyne, but still in the city centre, and the high-specification of the four-storey property that we built last year.

“Now with such a respected name taking the top floor on a ten-year lease at the asking rent our confidence has been rewarded.”

Following this success, which was sourced by commercial lettings agent storeys:ssp, Mandale has been in talks with several potential new tenants who have shown an interest in taking further commercial rental space. “We are at an advanced stage of negotiation with several businesses including a number of London- based firms looking to rent office space in the region.

“This proves that despite the challenging market conditions, given the right offering, large deals are still there to be done and we are very positive about the future,” said Mr Darragh.

Anne De Costa, of Balfour Beatty, said: “We required a commercial office environment to provide and provide the high standard of facilities we require for our staff and their visitors. West One, with its city-centre location and high building specifications, is a choice we are very happy with.”

West One was the only centrally located new office space to be completed in 2008 and enjoyed a highprofile opening attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and Newcastle City Council’s executive director for the environment and regeneration, David Slater.

Mandale Commercial’s property and lettings manager Stephen Rose said: “As a result of the lack of new office space being created in the city centre over the next year we are seeing the demand for the West One building becoming fierce.

“Companies can still get over 10,000 sq ft per floor, which comfortably provides room for over 100 staff on each floor.”

Neil Osborne, director at storeys:ssp, said: “This is an illustration that quality and well-located space will attract high-calibre tenants such as Balfour Beatty even in a difficult market. West One provides excellent value for money.”

This project is the latest in a long line of high-profile commercial and residential developments that Mandale has been responsible for throughout the region.

As well as West One, the fastgrowing developer has completed the landmark Quayside development at nearby Hanover Mill and between the two buildings there are 171 luxury residential apartments.

The Mandale Group is also working on a range of other projects, including a 50-acre business village on Portrack Lane in Stockton, which has already seen £7m of development completed.