A £350,000 investment is underway at 3 Rivergate, Bristol, to deliver a new fully fitted office suite, responding to growing occupier demand for high-quality, ready-to-use workspace.
 
Works have now been signed off on the 5,804 sq ft part fifth floor, which will provide 52 workstations, four meeting rooms, two single-person pods, a kitchen and breakout areas, alongside informal meeting and collaboration spaces.
 
The fit-out has been designed by Fable and Form, with works being delivered by Lancer Scott and project managed by CBRE. Work is due to commence shortly, with completion targeted for early October.
 
The investment reflects a wider shift in occupier requirements for fully fitted workspace. This trend has become an increasingly important feature of the regional office market, as occupiers seek to reduce upfront fit-out costs and secure space that can be occupied more quickly. It also highlights that the trend is moving beyond the traditional SME market, with fitted suites exceeding 5,000 sq ft now emerging in core regional locations, including Bristol. 
 
Roxine Foster, Director – Office Advisory at Lambert Smith Hampton, said:

“The shift towards fitted space is increasingly evident across the Bristol office market, with our latest Mind the Gap research showing this trend moving into larger suites of more than 5,000 sq ft. Given the quality of 3 Rivergate, its proximity to Temple Meads, the specification being delivered and the strong letting momentum within the building, we are confident this space will perform well.”
 
3 Rivergate underwent a comprehensive refurbishment two years ago and has since attracted strong occupier interest. The first, fourth, part fifth and sixth floors have been successfully let to WITTENSTEIN, DNV and AECOM. The second and third floors are now under offer with leases due to complete before the end of the year, and there are advanced discussions with a tenant for the ground floor. If these transactions progress, the newly fitted part fifth floor will be the only remaining spaces available in the building. 
 
The activity at 3 Rivergate also reflects the wider flight to quality evident across the regional office market, with occupiers increasingly prioritising well-specified workspace. In Bristol specifically, a lack of new-build development means refurbishment projects are playing an increasingly important role in meeting occupier requirements.
 
LSH and CBRE are acting as letting agents on behalf of the landlord.