Lambert Smith Hampton - Offices Development - £65 Million Forum Development
Date: 05 Aug 2002
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II continued her Jubilee celebrations on Thursday July 18th by officially opening the landmark £65 million Forum development, in the heart of Norwich, soon to be the new home of the BBC’s new regional ‘multi-media’ broadcasting centre.
The Forum, designed by architects, Michael Hopkins and Partners, was funded through a joint venture established by Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, and the Millennium Commission, and will bring together the previously separate BBC East TV and radio operations under one roof. The significant additional work being carried out within The Forum, to install the latest digital technology required by the BBC, is due for completion in December 2002 with the first broadcasts to begin in summer 2003.
Lambert Smith Hampton secured the letting on behalf of the BBC, acting as sole property surveyors for the broadcaster. The deal, which is one of the biggest Norwich has seen in the past 12 months, sees the broadcasting organisation taking 1,445 sq m (15,549 sq ft) of office space situated on the ground, 1st, mezzanine and 2nd floors. Other tenants in the building include the new Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, a tourist information centre, and the Origins Visitor Centre as well as various learning facilities and a Pizza Express restaurant. In addition, LSH acquired a further 201 sq m (2,146 sq ft) of space on behalf of BBC Worldwide, located opposite the main building. The premises will house a BBC retail outlet and is currently under construction due to open in early 2003.
David Holdsworth, Head of Regional and Local Programmes for the East says: “I have been at the helm of the local BBC operation here for five years. I am soon to leave to take up a position in Birmingham but I cannot think of a better send-off than to see the corporation moving to such a magnificent location in the city. The building fits perfectly with the BBC-wide strategy of moving to modern, flexible space, that allows us to become a more visible and accessible part of the local communities we serve.”
Robin Hall, Chief Executive of the landlords, The Forum Trust says: “I am delighted to have been able to work with LSH to bring in an occupier such as the BBC, with the prestige to match a development of this quality. The Forum is already the new meeting place in the center of Norwich and will be a great new regional headquarters for the BBC.”
Lambert Smith Hampton acted on behalf of the BBC, and landlords, The Forum Trust Ltd represented themselves, taking specialist advice as necessary.
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