General Electrics signs up to occupy its own building
GE has signed up to occupy 100,000 square feet of its own building, the Ark in Hammersmith, West London.
The deal comes after the ‘white elephant’, the idiosyncratic office building that has stood empty for many years and attracted only one other tenant since opening in 1992, had failed to attracted tenants to occupy the majority of its office space.
GE had been searching for a tenant since a refurbishment of the building two years ago. The building has had an internal redevelopment, which increased the space and allowed it to be multi-let.
The Ralph Erskine-designed property is as well known for its difficult occupational history as for its quirky design, given a helmet-like shape topped with a distinctive crow’s nest next to the Hammersmith flyover.
It was designed for a single tenant, with a hollow interior and staggered floors that made it difficult to provide separate space for different occupiers.
GE Capital Real Estate, which also owns the block, will consolidate various GE London offices into the Ark, leaving 59,000 sq ft available for other prospective tenants.
Will Spiers, GE spokesperson, said: “Apart from the obvious advantages to our business, we will be able to make best use of the buildings excellent office facilities while benefiting from its impressive Green credentials. It’s a good move for us in many ways.”
Ilaria del Beato, managing director, GE Capital Real Estate UK, said: “Clearly, to let this much of the Ark, is a win for GE Capital Real Estate. Beyond that, we’re delighted GE is taking advantage of the Ark’s superb office accommodation, facilities and location in addition to the benefits of consolidating GE’s London businesses.”