Strong early demand has seen a number of occupants move into a newly restored Grade II listed office building in the heart of Newport, marking an important milestone in the building’s transformation.
The project, led by Island-based WightLife Group, has seen the careful refurbishment of the historic property to create a high-quality serviced office environment, designed to support a mix of local businesses.
In recent months, the building has begun to come to life, with a growing number of occupiers taking space. Tenants represent a broad range of sectors, including professional services, creative industries and local business operators, reflecting the diversity of the Island’s economy.
The majority of the space has now been let, with only the final 3 office suite, remaining available. WightLife now turns its attention to further exciting expansions at St Thomas’ Chambers, with intentions to repurpose some of the ground floor outbuildings.
Founder James Tregoning said the early demand highlights a shift in how businesses are thinking about workspace:
“Over the last few years, the role of the office has changed. It’s no longer just about desks and broadband, it’s about creating an environment where people actually want to come to work.
Article continues below this advertisement “The feedback from tenants so far has been really encouraging. There’s a strong sense of energy in the building already, and we’re seeing the kind of interactions between businesses that you don’t get in more traditional office setups.”
As well as private office suites, the building includes shared meeting spaces, breakout areas and a landscaped garden, designed to encourage collaboration and informal interaction between occupiers. The restoration has sought to balance modern workspace requirements with the preservation of the building’s historic character, retaining original features while upgrading the property to meet contemporary standards.
James added that the project forms part of the company’s wider ambition to support the Island’s High Streets and town centres:
“Buildings like this have a role to play beyond just providing space. They can help breathe new life and vibrancy into our town centres, support local businesses, and create places where people want to spend time.
“As a business, we’re particularly focused on High Street locations, which make up the majority of our property holdings, so it’s something we’re actively investing in rather than just talking about”.
For more information visit https://wightlifegroup.com/.
