Award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has announced that Plymouth University has taken a lease at the New Cooperage building, the flagship office space at Royal William Yard in Plymouth, marking a period of extraordinary growth for the regenerated development.
The New Cooperage space will be used by the University to accommodate its Finance and Sustainability Directorate, which is relocating to enable campus space to be released for teaching purposes and to enhance the student experience.
The University is taking 12,000 square feet in another sign of a recession beating surge of activity and growth at the ex-Naval victualling space. The New Cooperage building is a Grade II listed Georgian building overlooking The Green at the heart of Royal William Yard.
The 20,000 sq ft mixed use New Cooperage is now fully let, less than 6 months since it was completed, with Plymouth University joining retailers on the ground floor including leading hair designers, Envy, French brasserie Le Bistrot Pierre, wine lounge Le Vignoble and Estate Agents, Atwell Martin.
Last week The Yard’s first clothing retail outlet, Salcombe-based fashion boutique Bibi & Mac, opened in in Mills Bakery and at the Brewhouse Japanese noodle bar Wagamamas and Latin American restaurant, Las Iguanas were granted their planning consents on the 14th February.
Wagamamas, Las Iguanas and Le Bistrot Pierre have all now commenced with their fit out plans in readiness for openings in Spring / early Summer 2013.
In anticipation of increased footfall to The Yard, Urban Splash has announced that it has added car parking capacity with an additional 98 new spaces in the courtyard of the Factory Cooperage building.
“It’s fantastic to see so many great businesses and brands choosing to come to the Yard. I can barely believe the pace of change at the moment given the economic climate. I feel we are now starting to realise our vision to make Royal William Yard a thriving mix of uses. We welcome Plymouth University and feel sure they will enjoy being part of this unique place,” said Nathan Cornish, Director, Urban Splash.
“We are very excited about taking space in the New Cooperage building,” said Simon Denham, Head of Procurement and Sustainability at Plymouth University. “It’s a stunning space and we are looking forward to being there and being part of the community, which already includes some of our colleagues from the Faculty of Arts.”
Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “The Royal William Yard is creating a real stir not just in the city but across the region and it is great to see the university adding to the interesting mix Urban Splash is creating down there.
“The company is doing a great job bringing in new homes, offices, restaurants and other businesses and organisations to this stunning location in difficult economic conditions. As city we want to make the most of our waterfront and the yard is a key part of that. It’s all good stuff.”