Double Eleven makes its move to Boho X
Part of Pneuma Group, the games developer will occupy the whole of the 60,000 sq ft Middlesbrough building designed by JM Architects.
Boho X is the largest development yet in the Boho family of workspaces, developed with £21m in backing from the Tees Valley Combined Authority as the gaming sector has flourished in the area.
Fitted out by Oktra, Double Eleven has now taken possession of what will be its flagship headquarters. Gardiner & Theobald also workedc on the project.
The building is also intended to act as a central hub facilitating regular meetups for games professionals in the region and beyond. Employees will be moving in this month, before an official opening later this year.
After 14 years in locations ranging from lofts to shared office spaces, Double Eleven will be the sole occupant of the seven-story building, bringing all the studio’s UK teams under one roof.
Amenities include a classroom, an auditorium, a market hall providing healthy, subsidised food and a fully-equipped staff gym.
“We’ve experienced remarkable growth, expanding from just over 100 employees to nearly 400 within the past three years, with the majority of our workforce based right here in the centre of Middlesbrough”, said Kimberley Turner, CFO of Double Eleven. “We’re proud to have been able to retain many of the local talents in the region and support their growth over the years.”
Mark South, the company’s COO, who has been overseeing the design, fit-out and transition to the new headquarters, explains: “Boho X is a remarkable addition to Teesside. It’s a testament to Andy Preston and Ben Houchen’s proactive leadership in creating an office to the high standard that local technology companies need to both recruit and retain highly skilled people locally, nationally and internationally.
“This building embodies the ambitious vision of the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council, who have demonstrated their commitment to elevating the region’s office infrastructure by setting a new benchmark for excellence.”
South said that starting from an empty shell has allowed the firm to design and build something that “ exemplifies our continual investment in our people and our culture. We’ve combined our experiences in incredible offices all over the world with best practices for modern working environments in the context of hybrid working”.
The building sits close to earlier Boho projects. Credit: Place North
He said that the firm has decided to create new roles, with in-house hospitality, cleaning and security teams, leveraging the strengths of parent company Pneuma Group to have full ownership of the employee experience.
South concluded: “Our new headquarters aspires to be a vibrant hub for developers, students, and professionals in the region. As well as providing spaces to work and collaborate, it also houses a classroom and an auditorium. Infrastructure that will support our ambition to host industry events, educational programmes and relevant local initiatives as a force for good.
“Our move into and fit-out of Boho X represents a significant investment and underscores our commitment to becoming an integral part of the local landscape, driving positive change and fostering growth in Middlesbrough and the wider region.”
