Capita Symonds, who is one of the UK's largest and most diverse multidisciplinary consultancies operating in the building design, civil engineering, environment, management and transport sectors is relocating 110 construction consultancy services staff from West One in Sheffield. The company undertook the construction management, engineering, project management and quantity surveying work for the development of Velocity Village and their move to the building signals their confidence in the scheme’s pivotal location and Grade A office offering. Fit-out is now underway, with Capita due to be fully operational by June 2010.

The 6 storey, 67,000sq ft building at Velocity Village is already home to a brand new business centre comprising of 31 office ‘pods’ which vary in size, can accommodate between 1 and 10 people and will be let on an all-inclusive, flexible basis. The Business Centre, which sits at courtyard level with conference facilities at street level, has been designed to accommodate the increasing requirements for smaller office space in the city. Following the relocation of Capita into the building, just 2 floors now remain available for occupancy.

Chris Green, Executive Director for Capita Symonds, said; “Having played a major role in the delivery of Velocity Village, we recognised the benefit of the scheme’s high quality of offering, plentiful parking and key location within the city centre. As the largest consultancy in Sheffield city centre this move demonstrates our commitment to both the city and our broad client base and we are confident that the Grade A office space will provide an enhanced working environment for our dedicated team.”

Andrew Town, Director of Velocity Developments, continued; “This significant deal provides a boost for the Sheffield office market and demonstrates that good quality product in strong locations will always provide an attractive offer for relocating companies. By combining traditional office accommodation with the new Business Centre at Velocity Village, we are offering maximum flexibility for occupiers, an approach that we have always conducted throughout each element of our developments. With our parking provision fully operational with APCOA, companies can negotiate great contract parking deals, whether they are located within Velocity Village or elsewhere in the City. With the completion of all the residential accommodation within the scheme, we are now dedicated to accommodating Sheffield’s businesses and achieving full occupancy of this groundbreaking development.”

Alaric Birch, who headed the team at hlw Commercial Lawyers, added: “It’s encouraging to see a deal of this size and nature taking place in the city. Velocity Village is an outstanding development, and it is important that such landmark building work continues in Sheffield, so it’s good to see well established tenants such as Capita Symonds signing on the dotted line.”

The 67,000sq ft office building at Velocity Village comprises part of a total 103,000sq ft of office accommodation at South Yorkshire’s largest speculative mixed use scheme. The first released phase of 36,000sq ft in the striking 1 tower at the gateway to the site is occupied by the UK’s leading internet service provider, PlusNet PLC.

In addition to the commercial space, the residential quarters at Velocity Village comprise 433 studio, one and two bedroom apartments and a number of spectacular penthouses all set around landscaped gardens.