Farnborough Aerospace Centre launches new office space with £36bn fund manager

Hermes Investment Management has launched 75,000 sq ft office space Ascent 1.

Situated in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre, in Hampshire, the opening marks the completion of three of four Ascent buildings. Two of the buildings are now fully let and 50 per cent of the remaining office space is still available.

Designed by Hale Architects, the restored Ascent 1 building is centred around a newly-created 2,200 sq ft atrium, along with an entrance façade and new reception area.

Ascent 1 joins buildings 2, 3 and 4 - which totals approximately 250,000 sq ft of Grade A space. Each building offers amenities including a restaurant, café, gym and conference spaces, with the enhancement of facilities set to continue.

Inside the new Ascent 1 building.

Stephen Ellis, asset manager of London-based Hermes Investment Management, said: “Since we started the Ascent development project, we’ve driven forward our vision to create a high-quality, flexible working space, with amenities that create a positive and enjoyable experience for employees.

“The unveiling of the rejuvenated Ascent 1 building reflects Hermes’ belief in creating places where people want to work, live and play - in turn providing a better chance of attracting global talent, achieving capital and delivering sustainable futures for all.”

Hermes Investment Management appointed Canmoor as strategic advisor throughout the repositioning of Ascent Farnborough. Cushman & Wakefield and Hollis Hockley acted as joint leasing agents for Hermes Investment Management.

Ascent 1’s launch follows the news that direct banking and payments services company, Discover Financial Services, had signed a 12-year lease of the Ascent 3 building.

The Ascent buildings equate to 250,000 sq ft of office space with over 1,200 parking spaces. Farnborough Aerospace Centre is the corporate headquarters for BAE Systems with Zurich.

Sam Walker, director of Canmoor, added: “After an extensive refurbishment and investment programme, it is a pleasure to now showcase Ascent 1 as part of the wider contemporary working environment and the next phase in our redevelopment, with Ascent 2 set to follow.”