Partner Article

Cargo Fleet Offices Shortlisted For Commercial RICS Award

Iconic Cargo Fleet Offices has been shortlisted for a prestigious RICS Award after becoming an instant commercial success thanks to a £1.5m regeneration project.

Despite its historical heritage in Middlesbrough the three-story Edwardian building stood empty, vandalised and derelict for eight years until commercial property and regeneration specialist company Python Properties returned it back to its former glory.

Cargo Fleet Offices, based on Middlesbrough Road, has been shortlisted in the Commercial category at the renowned RICS North East Renaissance Awards 2012 due to the restoration project and immediate tenancy success.

Python Properties’ regeneration of Middlesbrough Sea Cadets’ first permanent headquarters, East Lodge, has also been shortlisted for a RICS Award in the category for community benefit.

Since Cargo Fleet Offices reopened in summer 2011 nine tenants have already moved into the building and predominantly all of the ground floor is now fully let. The commercial property company has also reported being in negotiations with numerous other potential tenants and is due to start filling the uppers floors immediately.

Martin Johnson, partner at Python Properties, said: “Cargo Fleet Offices’ success is two-fold, a once pinnacle building in the region has been bought back to life and it has also become an exciting hub of business activity. Only eight months after reopening the door of Cargo Fleet Offices and the ground floor is practically full of tenants.”

Peter Broome, partner at Python Properties, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for a RICS North East Renaissance Awards 2012. It is great testament to the building and the hard work by all parties which were involved in the regeneration project, including the architects GW Architectural and contractors Conservatek.”

The building, which was originally built by Cargo Fleet Iron Company in 1916, was formerly the headquarters of British Steel Teesside and then subsequently Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Within the building there is a state-of-the-art Heritage Gallery, on-site bistro, plus 200 secure car parking spaces, a manned reception and conference facilities.

The awards showcase the region’s top projects and celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

The nominations in each category span a range of companies and projects, from small schemes achieved by the vision of one person to globally recognised developments with significant budgets.

Python Properties will find out if Cargo Fleet Offices has won at a special award ceremony on April 27that the Civic Centre in Newcastle.

The building contracting firm Conservatek has also been shortlisted for the 2012 Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards due to its outstanding site standards during the restoration of Cargo Fleet Offices.

For further information about Cargo Fleet Offices please contact the partners Martin Johnson or Peter Broome at Python Properties on 01642 225100 or visit www.pythonproperties.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Morrison .