EC Harris takes space in Three Piccadilly Place

Private equity firm the Carlyle Group and developer Argent have agreed to let the 12,710 sq ft tenth floor at Three Piccadilly Place to international built asset consultancy EC Harris.

EC Harris will join the NHS North West, which agreed a 55,000 sq ft letting at the end of last year, as well as solicitors, Weightmans, serviced office provider, Orega and The Insolvency Service.

The firm advises its clients on the planning and executing of strategies to optimise the construction, operation, use and ownership of built assets. EC Harris will relocate to Piccadilly Place from its current Manchester office in The Royal Exchange.

Three Piccadilly Place forms part of the 675,000 sq ft Piccadilly Place development, which officially launched last November following the completion of Four Piccadilly Place.

Both Three and Four Piccadilly Place hold an 'excellent' BRE Environmental Assessment Method rating.

Mark Harris, director of The Carlyle Group, said: "Our first new tenant for 2010 at Three Piccadilly Place builds on our excellent momentum from last year, as we continue to see strong interest from potential occupiers. With its unrivalled transport connections, the scheme offers tenants the ultimate in accessibility and flexibility."

Will Kennon, associate director at CB Richard Ellis, which advised EC Harris on the deal, added: "We are delighted to have secured the tenth floor at Three Piccadilly Place, which following an exhaustive search across Manchester city centre, successfully satisfied our client's requirement for a high quality, single self-contained floor plate with the added benefit of being in immediate proximity to the regional transport hub at Piccadilly Station."

Savills advised The Carlyle Group and are joint agents on the Piccadilly Place scheme with GVA Grimley.

Details of the rental agreement were not disclosed.