Osborne+Co has secured planning consent for the comprehensive refurbishment and extension of Santander’s former office at 201 Grafton Gate in Milton Keynes.
Located adjacent to the bank’s new 440,000 sq ft home at Unity Place, the ‘Verve’ scheme will feature 225,000 sq ft of multi-functional, communal work and social space across two office blocks providing 121,179 sq ft and 92,032 sq ft.
Osborne+Co is targeting EPC A and BREEAM excellent ratings for the scheme, which will feature on-site amenities including a new atrium linking both buildings, end of journey facilities, landscaped gardens, event space and car parking spaces.
Jim Osborne, partner and owner of Osborne+Co, said: “We are pleased to work on another project in Milton Keynes. In combination with the Unity Place project, we are set to redefine the office market in the city and provide office space which is very needed between London, Oxford and Cambridge. Verve will benefit from the synergy and immediate proximity of Unity Place, with staff being able to use the plethora of amenities within the building.”
Ben Taylor, director at LOM Architecture and Design and project lead, added: “Decarbonising and retrofitting existing buildings is critical for the future of the built environment. The scale and ambition of our proposals for 201 Grafton Gate reflect both the condition of the existing asset and a clear long-term vision for the site and wider Milton Keynes context.”
Andrew Wilcock, head of Greater London and South East office agency at Savills, which has been appointed joint agent at Verve, said: “Alongside our joint agents Bray Fox Smith and LSH, Savills are delighted to work with Osborne+Co on the repositioning of this iconic building in the city. After the success of developing Santander’s headquarters, and with an extensive track record of delivering workspace globally, Verve will be comparable to the best schemes in the South East markets. Osborne+Co will be delivering space to meet the market demand, with 85% of all take up for prime and Grade A space, and we are looking forward to seeing how the project is developed.”
