Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has completed the first phase of the £210 million Exeter Skypark development – the Number One Tiger Moth Road, a 1,790 m2 speculative Grade A office building. The firm worked together with its client, St. Modwen, and created three storeys of energy efficient office space, designed to be divided into three sub-let units, one of which is already let.
One of the South West’s most significant business park developments, Exeter Skypark is a cutting-edge Business Park Development and the cornerstone of the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point. Number One Tiger Moth Road creates the gateway into the core office quarter and anchors the southern edge of enterprise Square, a vibrant landscaped area with water features and communal areas for employees to meet and relax.
“Number One Tiger Moth Road sets the benchmark for development across the park and establishes the vision for a high quality public realm and built form. The overall proportions of the building are particularly successful in creating a balanced, lightweight, contemporary form which merges masonry with the crisp aesthetic of glass and aluminium,” said Ian Yallop, chairman of SGP.
The Skypark’s design demonstrated an integrated approach to sustainability, with SGP taking a holistic three stage approach for its first phase. It utilises the building orientation and fabric to reduce energy, then it uses smart technology such as BMS and intelligent LED lighting systems to further reduce energy use and lastly, it installed a side wide district heating system that serves the entire development. As a result, Number One Tiger Moth Road achieved both BREEAM Excellent and is EPC A rated.
The scheme aims to create a business park environment that provides space for a wide range of businesses, benefiting the local economy and business community. Its first commercial sub-let was finalised within three months of build completion, bringing 40 jobs to the area and proving its success. In total, Skypark will create a new business community of up to 7,500 employees which will be served by the on-site carbon neutral district heating system and set within a landscaped environment of more than 100 acres.
