One of Swindon town centre’s largest office buildings has come onto the market as the commercial property recovery continues.
The Platform on Station Road, pictured, was previously insurance giant Zurich’s UK Life Centre. The 76,500 sq ft building is being marketed as a single unit by Swindon-based joint agents Smethurst Property Consultants and Whitmarsh Lockhart although they have said it could be sub-divided. 
The building was built in 1985 as the head office of insurance group Allied Dunbar – which later became Zurich – at a time when the firm was growing rapidly and transforming Swindon town centre with a number of new office buildings. It was substantially refurbished in 2002. The three-storey building is now privately owned and there are plans to refurbish the main reception area and create a new show suite. It also has a 64-space secure underground car park.
The Platform is being marketed as Swindon town centre continues to recover strongly and is being boosted by the arrival of new occupiers, many linked to the electrification of the London-Bristol railway line.
Significant recent lettings in the town centre have been to Amey Rail and First Great Western in three town centre office buildings – Station Square, SN1 and Holbrook House –leading to fears of a shortage of top-end office space.
Daniel Smethurst of Smethurst Property Consultants said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to market this landmark office building.
“The accommodation is unique in so far as it is configured around a large central open courtyard which provides excellent natural daylight.
“Having worked on a number of high profile buildings in the town, The Platform really does provide a unique blend of flexibility and functionality more commonly associated with business park locations but with the added benefit of being in a central location.
“The Platform has access to local amenities, the bus station, excellent car parking, notwithstanding it is only a couple of minutes’ walk to the station which will appeal to many occupiers.”
Mr Smethurst said the fact that SN1 and Station Square were now almost fully occupied, it paved the way for The Platform to provide high-quality office accommodation which will cater for both existing occupiers in the town and those considering relocating to Swindon due to its excellent links with London.
“We expect there to be considerable interest and have already had some good expressions of interest,” he said.
James Lockhart, of Whitmarsh Lockhart, said The Platform had the high-quality feel of an out-of-town office.
“This building is light and airy and is being refurbished to an exceptional standard. Excellent secure basement car parking is a rare and attractive feature in a town centre building,” he said.
