Cert bought the former Bibby HQ in 2019. Credit: via Influential

Liverpool secures largest letting in three years

13 June 2022 11:52 Dan Whelan Comments

Sony-owned video game developer Firesprite will take the entirety of CERT Property’s 50,000 sq ft Duke & Parr, providing a much-needed boost to the city’s office market.

Firesprite is relocating from the Vanilla Factory on Fleet Street to the former Bibby Line headquarters in Liverpool’s Ropewalks district, where the company is understood to have signed a 10-year lease.

CERT purchased the four-building cluster at 91 and 105 Duke Street, which includes Liverpool’s grade two-listed former public library, in December 2019.

The developer then converted the property into modern office space aimed at technology businesses.

CERT Property founder Howard Lord said: “This lease with a world-leading games and entertainment giant is testament to the team who worked with us on this project to deliver the vision we had to create an inspiring workplace that would attract occupiers in the post-pandemic role of the workplace.”

Firesprite’s 50,000 sq ft letting at Duke & Parr is the largest in Liverpool since parent company Sony took 65,000 sq ft at Echo Place in 2019.

Office take-up in Liverpool city centre has been low over recent months and years; in the first quarter of 2022, just 8,000 sq ft of space was let in the city centre compared with 72,000 sq ft out of town.

Worthington Owen acted for Firesprite on the deal.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority invested nearly £5m to refurbish the site. That money, which came from the region’s Urban Development Fund and Chrysalis Fund, has since been repaid in full.

Cllr Janette Williamson, the portfolio holder for inclusive economy and the third sector at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: “This is a great example of how investment from the Combined Authority can unlock projects that help drive growth and regeneration.

“It is fantastic to see this historic old building given a new lease of life at the heart of our thriving digital and creative sector,” she continued.

“The fact that our £5m investment has already been repaid means that we can put that money to work again, creating jobs and opportunities for local people.”

This story has been updated on 8 February 2023 to include quotes and information on Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s involvement.