Europa Capital and Ediston Real Estate are combining the latest technology with fitness and sustainability to offer a unique electric bicycle scheme at their refurbished Cathedral Square office campus in the English city of Guildford.
This technology is the first of its kind to be introduced in the UK by a landlord, according to the two real estate companies. The Bewegen-brand electric bikes at the Cathedral Square office campus are equipped with a novel geo-fencing feature, which means they can only be used by tenants within a designated area and can be made secure without the need for a padlock or a docking station.
Bewegen is a Canadian-based E-bike company, though the word Bewegen is Dutch/German for to move or exercise.
Europa Capital says that this 'revolutionary concept' is set to re-connect the UK's business parks to major transport infrastructure, town centres and local amenities.
In addition, these electric bicycles are significantly faster than normal bicycles, as well as being relatively hassle free. With new real estate developments facing increasing car parking restrictions and millennial office workers reliant on local transport, geo-fencing electric bicycles are anticipated to provide an appropriate environmentally friendly solution for landlords and local authorities, Europa Capital and Ediston Real Estate believe.
'Lifestyle considerations are becoming increasingly important for office workers and these electric bikes, in conjunction with our significant improvements to Cathedral Square, provide a best in class offering for the discerning office occupier,' said James Fortescue, a partner at Europa Capital.
Neal Jamieson, director of Ediston, added: 'Cathedral Square has been transformed and now marries a contemporary and stylish appearance with modern, functional office space and tenant facilities. We are delighted to have launched this fantastic building alongside this innovative electric bicycle scheme.'
Refurbishment
The technology has been installed as part of Europa Capital and Ediston Real Estate's £10 mln (€11.3 mln) refurbishment of the Cathedral Square office building, which has just been launched into the market.
The electric bikes will be for the exclusive use of Cathedral Square’s tenants, improving amenity and connectivity to the town centre and mainline station. In addition to the electric bikes, there are 60 regular cycle spaces, including a maintenance bay, and 243 car parking spaces. There is also an on-site café, operated by Charlton House, and a contemporary co-working environment situated within the building’s remodelled reception area.
Pre-lettings had been secured with Avaya and RBS/Coutts over 42,000 square feet (3,902 m2). The remaining 73,000 sq. feet is available to let and comprises floor plates ranging from 8,000 sq. feet. up to 22,000 sq. feet.
Lambert Smith Hampton and Knight Frank are joint letting agents for Europa Capital and Ediston.
