Wizu signs as Portland House fills up

Around 20,000 sq ft will be taken by the flexible workspace provider, taking the Newcastle office building to 85% occupied less than a year after its redevelopment was completed.

Wizu, which provides serviced offices, co-working spaces, virtual offices and meeting room facilities, has secured a management agreement for almost 20,000 sq ft within a standalone wing, as the firm looks to expand beyond its Yorkshire heartland.

The operation will have its own reception area, accessed off Blue Carpet Square, separate to the rest of the development.

The Portland House complex, formerly the home of Newcastle Building Society, has undergone a substantial redevelopment over the past three years with its owner targeting a wellness-focussed, highly sustainable workspace.

Wizu will officially launch at Portland House in December. The firm said that 20% of the new serviced office space has already been pre-let.

Wizu at Portland House will have a range of offices from four to 100 desks over five floors. It also caters to individuals and growing businesses with bookable hotdesks and memberships.

Tom Almas, chief executive of Wizu Workspace, said: “We recognised that the demand for serviced offices in Newcastle has consistently outpaced supply, owing to the lack of high-quality flexible workspace.

“We chose this stunning new location as it embodies our signature style – beautifully restored and modernised heritage architecture in a prime location.”

Alongside meeting facilities, free-to-use phone booths, and iPad-controlled coffee machines, Wizu members will benefit from amenities in Portland House including changing rooms and showers, cycle racks, a drying room, parking spaces, EV charge points, and e-bike chargers.

James Keegan, who has overseen the transformation of Portland House alongside co-developer Oliver Holland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wizu to Portland House and look forward to them developing their serviced accommodation offering in Newcastle.

“We believe the hybrid approach of offering both traditional and flexible space provides our tenants with ultimate flexibility to match their business needs.”

Portland House is already home to tenants including commercial property consultancy Eddisons, maritime and international trade law firm Mills & Co, barristers chambers Parklane Plowden, recruitment firm Central Employment and wealth management company Raymond James, Monument.

In recent weeks, technology provider Ezoic UK has also announced the relocation of its North East workforce to Portland House in an 8,000 sq ft move from Gateshead.

The flex-space market has been a big factor in Newcastle offices this year, with rival operator Cubo also taking around 20,000 sq ft in August, committing to Bank House.