Goodman welcomes Acision UK to Lakeview in 30,000 sq ft agreement
2 September 2008
The Arlington Business Parks Partnership fund (ABPP), which is managed by international property group Goodman, has agreed terms with Acision UK Ltd for a new company headquarters at its Lakeview scheme at Arlington Business Park, Reading.
Acision UK Ltd, the world's leading messaging company, has signed a ten year lease to take 30,000 sq ft of space at Lakeview, at £28 per sq ft. The scheme is owned, developed and managed by Goodman. Acision formerly part of IT and Business Services provider, Logica, who is a customer at Goodman's Gloucester Business Park scheme, which is one of the south west's most prominent business locations. This agreement represents one of few speculative lettings to have taken place in the Thames Valley region this year.
Lakeview comprises three Grade A office buildings totalling 110,495 sq ft, and is the latest phase at Arlington Business Park, which is located at Junction 12 of the M4 west of Reading. The construction of the high-spec Lakeview development was also project-managed by Goodman. The Park is one of the south east's most successful schemes, with customers including KPMG and Wolseley.
James Raven, Goodman's Developer Director, UK Business Parks commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Acision to Arlington Business Park. Lakeview offers the perfect space solution for their UK headquarters, with high quality offices in a well managed environment."
Lakeview, which completed last year, offers three buildings of 45,821 sq ft, 33,947 sq ft and 30,727 sq ft, giving occupiers the opportunity to take between 8,191 sq ft up to the full 110,495 sq ft. As well as offering this flexibility, the scheme also features generous car parking.
The 48 acre site is adjacent to both the M4 and Theale railway station. Businesses based there also benefit from a range on shops and leisure facilities close by, as well as the additional property services provided by Goodman.
The agreement has been signed on behalf of Goodman's Arlington Business Parks Partnership. Jointly managed alongside Legal and General, it is one of the largest specialist funds in the UK.
About Arlington Business Parks Partnership
The ABPP is a UK business park fund created in 2003 by Arlington Securities Limited and investment partner Legal and General. Goodman and L&G manage the fund. ABPP owns a unique portfolio of high quality business parks in a managed environment spread across the UK.
About Goodman Group
Goodman International Limited is an integrated property group with operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Goodman Group, comprised of the stapled entities Goodman International Limited and Goodman Industrial Trust, has a market capitalisation of approximately A$11.8 billion (approximately £5.02 billion), making it the largest industrial property group listed on Australian Stock Exchange and the second largest listed specialist fund manager of industrial and business park assets globally.
Goodman entered the UK market in December 2005 when it acquired Arlington Securities and in May 2006 it moved into Europe, purchasing industrial property developer Eurinpro International SA ('Eurinpro'). The business has since consolidated its strength across the UK by acquiring business park developer Akeler and logistics property specialist Rosemound Developments in November 2006 in April 2007 respectively.
The group re-branded from Macquarie Goodman to Goodman on 2 July 2007.
About Acision
Acision is the world's leading messaging company, providing communication solutions for over 300 network operators and service providers globally. With over 50 per cent of global text and multimedia messaging traffic generated through its platforms, Acision's mobile data services expertise includes text messaging, multimedia messaging, mobile internet, mobile marketing, voicemail and videomail. Acision's payment systems have processed more than US $100 billion, providing sophisticated real-time charging and removing the boundaries between prepaid and postpaid subscriptions. With global market experience, Acision has a detailed understanding of what it takes to bring innovative services to full mass market adoption.
Privately owned by an equity consortium led by Atlantic Bridge Ventures and Access Industries, Acision is a half billion dollar company, working with customers in 135 countries across six continents. More information is available at www.acision.com
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Goodman Group This document has been prepared by Goodman Group (Goodman International Limited (ABN 69 000 123 071) and Goodman Funds Management Limited (ABN 48 067 796 641) (AFSL 223621) as the Responsible Entity for Goodman Industrial Trust (ARSN 091 213 839)). The details in this press release provide general information only.
It is not intended as investment or financial advice and must not be relied upon as such. You should obtain independent professional advice prior to making any decision. This media release is not an offer or invitation for subscription or purchase of securities or other financial products. This media release does not contribute an offer of securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered of sold in the United States unless they are registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 or an exemption from registration is available. Past performance is no indication of future performance. All values are expressed in Australian currency unless otherwise stated. [July 2007]
For further information on Goodman please contact:
Joanna Reid 020 7269 9348 jo.reid@fd.com
Tilly Shirlaw 020 7269 9352 tilly.shirlaw@fd.com
Richard Stocks 020 7269 9355 richard.stocks@fd.com