Business hub in capital centre now fully let as Splice moves in
ABUSINESS hub in the centre of Cardiff is now fully let. 101 Cardiff, the refurbished office building on St Mary Street in the heart of Cardiff city centre, has signed up London post-production company Splice, which is initially expected to create 25 new jobs.
And Cardiff’s importance as a UK regional media hub has been highlighted by the arrival of Splice, a creative and independent post-production company with two facilities in the heart of Shoreditch, London.
Recent productions include MasterChef, Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets, Plebs and Damned.
The company has taken 6,461sq ft offices on the last available floor at the 101 Cardiff building on St Mary Street in central Cardiff, on a fiveyear lease.
The building was recently acquired by V7 Asset Management on behalf of Kames Capital which was attracted by the rapid growth in the Cardiff office market and has achieved full occupancy within six months of completing the purchase.
The landlord was advised in the transaction by commercial property consultancy Knight Frank.
Splice company director Damian Dolniak said: “This is a speculative strategic move in response to changes in the way TV production work is commissioned. Cardiff will be our first base outside London and we chose the 101 Cardiff office for its location, just a street or so away from the BBC and from the train station.”
Richard Peacock of Kames Capital said: “We are pleased to have completed this letting that demonstrates the strength of demand from TMT occupiers for the city.
“The fund has acquired six further office buildings in Cardiff in 2018 that will be targeting this fast-growing occupier base.
“We believe Splice is amongst the early movers in what will be a growing occupational trend for Cardiff.”
Matt Leach of V7 said: “We are delighted to welcome Splice to 101 and to Cardiff.
“We have been excited by the activity in the Welsh capital and with the continued commercial development and infrastructure projects coming forward in the next five years Cardiff is well placed to capitalise on its position.”
Mark Sutton, partner at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said: “The arrival of Splice in Cardiff reinforces the city’s growing reputation as a major media hub, and 101’s refurbished accommodation provides a perfect environment for occupiers seeking a contemporary office environment close to the transport hub.”
101 Cardiff is being marketed jointly by Knight Frank and Savills.
Gary Carver of Savills added: “The speculative refurbishment of 101 provided occupiers with a modern alternative product to the typical corporate refurbishment and the 101 building has been well received by the market.”
The recent refurbishment of the former Golate House office building, now rebranded 101 Cardiff, provides a stripped-back style, with concrete ceilings and exposed columns.