Neil Tague: Behind the numbers

Neil TagueIn his regular new column, Tague tackles statistical conundrums burning away at property minds across the region.

What's in a name?

What are the most common names in North West property? Using the latest cutting-edge technology, we tallied up the attendees of the RICS Merseyside & Cheshire Annual Dinner 2014, held at the Liverpool Hilton on 3 October, to find out.

Drum roll please…

1st David, Stephen (9)

3rd Paul, Mark, Chris, John/Jon (8)

7th Andrew, Peter (7)

9th Matthew (6)

10th Ian (5)

If Kathryns, Kates, Katies and Kats – demanding birth certificates for this list might have been a step too far – are combined, the total would make joint 10th – so maybe the age of equality in North West property is closer than many think.

Tall stories

Property booms bring forth big talk of building tall. To prepare you for the next cycle, here's a refresher: who had the biggest dreams and who delivered last time around?

Manchester

Built: 47 storeys – Beetham Tower, completed 2006. Developer Beetham, designed by Ian Simpson Architects

Not built: 58 storeys – Inacity Piccadilly Tower, obtained consent 2005. Developer Inacity/Ballymore. Architect Woods Bagot

Liverpool

Built: 40 storeys – West Tower, completed 2008. Developer Beetham. Architect Aedas

Not built: 67 storeys – King Edward Tower, proposed 2007. Developer Y1. Architect Leach Rhodes Walker

Leeds

Built: 32 storeys – Bridgewater Place, completed 2007. Developer KW Linfoot. Architect Aedas

Not built: 54 storeys – Lumiere, obtained consent 2006. Developer KW Linfoot/Scarborough. Ian Simpson Architects

Birmingham

Built: 40 storeys – 10 Holloway Circus, completed 2005. Developer Beetham, Ian Simpson Architects.

Not built: 56 storeys – Regal Tower, obtained consent 2007. Developer Regal Property Group. Architect Aedas

Manchester's Beetham Tower is the UK's tallest building outside London, a title each of the unrealised dreams above looked to take – some shouting very loudly about it, unwisely. Architect-wise, it was a good score draw of completed buildings; Ian Simpson 2 Aedas 2.

All about the law firms?

Both Manchester and Leeds have claims as the North's biggest legal powerhouse. Where are the big legal sector deals happening and which city needs them more?

Deals of 10,000 sq ft upwards in the sector are named.

Manchester

2012 Total take-up of 758,615 sq ft. Major legal deals 13,324 sq ft (Hempsons, City Tower)

2013 Total take-up 880,620 sq ft. Major legal deals 53,239 sq ft (DWF 15,051 sq ft at 201 Deansgate, Anthony Hodari 18,275 sq ft at Commercial Buildings, MHM 19,913 sq ft at Linley House)

2014 Total take-up so far 950,000 sq ft – Major legal deals 120,812 sq ft (Shoosmiths 16,500 sq ft at HQ Building Granada, Slater & Gordon 104,312 sq ft at 58 Mosley Street)

Leeds

2012 Total take-up 414,406 sq ft. Major legal deals 17,030 sq ft (Dickinson Dees at 1 Whitehall Riverside)

2013 Total take-up 777,213 sq ft. Major legal deals 15,157 sq ft (Shulmans at 10 Wellington Place)

2014 Total take-up so far 246,507 sq ft. Major legal deals 26,000 sq ft (University of Law at 15-16 Park Row)

Is Slater & Gordon an outlier or the sign of things to come? Leeds' recent story is one of consolidation – Armstrong Watson and Capsticks have each added 7,000 sq ft-plus to Leeds floorspace this year, as did Morrish & Co in 2013. But both cities have large named requirements, with Addleshaw Goddard and Squire Patton Boggs among those hunting space in each.

Story of the Blues

Everton FC's latest attempts to find a new home echoes down the years, with slightly longer waits each time for the next proposal. If this one doesn't work, expect another in 10 years.

2014 Walton Hall Park 50,000 capacity, cost £200m

2006 Kirkby 50,000 capacity, £150m (£400m overall scheme)

2000 Kings Dock 55,000 capacity, £75m (£155m overall scheme)

1996 Gillmoss 60,000 capacity, feasibility study not completed

Keeping up with the Joneses

You're based in Wilmslow, you need an office. Who you gonna call? Orbit would be a good place to start, with a collection of town centre offices outnumbering the competition's combined efforts.

26 – Orbit

19 – Everybody else

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