FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Premium commercial amenity and workspace provider, x+why, is marking a milestone in growth with the opening of two iconic London buildings – Bloomsbury House in central London and Arding & Hobbs at Clapham Junction – taking its national portfolio past the half a million sq ft mark for the first time.
With the addition of these two new sites, x+why will manage 510,000 square feet of flexible office, meeting and events spaces, and F&B led clubspaces across the UK, reflecting its steady expansion across key cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Milton Keynes in highly sustainable, beautifully designed and well located buildings.
Bloomsbury House and Arding & Hobbs both opened their doors to tenants on 19 May, following a surge in early demand for both buildings. Bloomsbury House already has 50 per cent of its flexible office space let or under offer, having attracted a wave of interest from the fashion, creative and tech sectors. Arding & Hobbs has already sold 14 of the 30 available offices, with notable demand from lifestyle, healthcare, and tech firms seizing the opportunity to relocate to the prime location from nearby areas such as Battersea and Richmond.
Bloomsbury House, WC1 – In partnership with The Bedford Estates, x+why will operate 21,500 sq ft across four interconnected Georgian townhouses at 74–77 Great Russell Street. This is the first time The Bedford Estates has entered into a management agreement. Located just minutes from Tottenham Court Road and the Elizabeth Line, and less than 20 minutes from St Pancras International, it is exceptionally well positioned for businesses looking for premium flexible workspace in central London.
Simon Elmer, Steward of The Bedford Estates, said: “The partnership with x+why marks a new era for our Estate in Bloomsbury and will allow us to fully embrace the flexible office market. We’re excited by the opportunities this creates for a new wave of creative and innovative businesses to benefit from the beautiful design, central location and garden oasis at Bloomsbury House.”
Bloomsbury House 4th floor
Arding & Hobbs, Clapham Junction – In South London, x+why has partnered with real estate developer W.RE to manage 27,500 sq ft of flexible workspace in the upper floors of the landmark Arding & Hobbs building. This iconic Edwardian Baroque structure, built in 1910, has been transformed into a vibrant hub for working, socialising and fitness, directly opposite Clapham Junction station.
As well as private offices, meeting rooms, and a clubspace with bar and restaurant, x+why will operate the building amenities and a new roof terrace overlooking the London skyline.
Sascha Lewin, CEO at W.RE, said: “We are thrilled to be working with x+why, who share so much of our vision for Arding & Hobbs – from our joint B Corp values to our passion for sustainable and community-led redevelopment. The building’s distinctive Edwardian Baroque character resonates with forward-thinking companies, and we are pleased to see innovative tech firms already settling into the workspace.”
Arding & Hobbs day room
Rupert Dean, CEO and co-founder of x+why, added:“Reaching over half a million square feet is a significant milestone for us, but what is most exciting is the calibre of the buildings and partners we’re adding to our portfolio. Bloomsbury House and Arding & Hobbs are both steeped in heritage, beautifully designed, and set to become thriving hubs for modern business. We are proud to be partnering with landlords who share our commitment to design, sustainability and community. We’re delighted to have seen unprecedented demand from businesses who want to work in places that are not only beautiful, but meaningful, and look forward to welcoming them to these new spaces.”
Workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking, has published a new free guide on how to create workspaces that meet the demands of the current and future workforce.
For those businesses looking to encourage more employees into the office, or wanting to improve their experience overall, ‘How facilities and workplace managers can shape the office of the future’ provides insights and the tools you need to ensure your environment meets the changing nature of employee preferences, employer requests, and evolving styles of work.
To download the guide click here.
