BASINGSTOKE'S first speculative offices in 15 years has been given a completion date for businesses to move in.

The Florence Building, located in Basing View offers flexible, virtually column-free floorplates and more than 200 under-cover car parking spaces.

Developers Abstract Limited are building the 60,535 sq.ft office which has now been given a completion date of July 23, 2018.

Mark Glatman, chief executive of Abstract, said: "Our scheme represents a superb opportunity for occupiers to take highly cost efficient space in Basing View, in a London-quality building with the ability to incorporate the latest workplace initiatives.

“For example, the 'cost per workstation' based on an occupancy of 1:8m2 per person in the Florence Building is just £3,400 per annum when compared with £3,700 in Farnborough, £4,800 in Reading and £5,600 in Guildford.

“Total occupancy cost in The Florence Building is over 75 per cent lower than the West End core and nearly 30 per cent lower than in central Reading.

“A tight design and procurement process will offer occupiers the lowest cost per workstation of any new build office in the South East.”

As previously reported in The Gazette, the building had originally been earmarked as the new home of the AA, with a planned move from its long-term base in Fanum House.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) had agreed a multimillion pound agreement with The AA for the firm to move into the Florence Building once it was complete.

However, the motoring firm made a U-turn on the deal, leaving Abstract and the borough council needing to find new occupants for the building.

The build is part of the regeneration of Basing View, which aims to enhance profitability and work life balance it the area, as well as benefitting from Enterprise Zone status with a new £10m landscaped public realm and a dynamic mix of office, retail and leisure amenities for staff.

The site is just an eight-minute walk to the station and just a five-minute walk to leisure amenities.

This build is the fourth in a series of Abstract's “uncompromising value” speculative office developments and follows on the heels of successful developments in Gatwick, Croydon and Glasgow, where a similar methodology has been well received by the market.

Abstract had previously released a virtual walk through of what the Florence building would look like in a bid to bring businesses to the premises.

The video, along with more information about the office space and how to enquire about occupancy of the Florence Building is available by visiting theflorencebuilding.com.