Sony lines up Echo Building move

Sony is in advanced negotiations to relocate from Wavertree Technology Park to take 50,000 sq ft at the Echo Building in Liverpool.

Although the deal is not yet in legals, Sony is in talks to move to the building once fit-out works complete in 2020. Contractor Mac is understood to have been picked to deliver shell-and-core works on the refurbishment, ahead of rival bidder ISG.

The move will see Sony’s Computer Entertainment Europe arm relocate from its base at Wavertree, which was bought by Karlin Real Estate for £4.4m from Telereal Trillium in August 2014.

Dubai investor Select Group acquired the building from Reach, the publishing group formerly known as Trinity Mirror, in October this year.

The refit of the former newspaper building is set to feature 50,000 sq ft of offices, a 207-bed hotel, and 26,000 sq ft of retail on the ground floor. The building on Old Hall Street was vacated by the Liverpool Echo, which is moving its 300 staff to a 25,000 sq ft space at 5 St Paul’s Square, which sits opposite.

Plans for the upper floors include a restaurant and bar, conference, and a sky bar which will be made accessible to the public.

The proposals by architect Corstorphine + Wright include four retail units and a 15,500 sq ft leisure unit on the ground floor, which is currently inaccessible from the outside.

The building’s façade is also due to undergo a comprehensive refurbishment including a black granite cladding and replacement windows, alongside new fins on the tower’s corners.

Sony’s search for office space has been ongoing for around a year and if it does sign a deal it will be one of Liverpool’s largest for some time, following the 70,000 sq ft letting to the Royal College of Physicians at The Spine, and the 270,000 sq ft letting to the Government Property Unit at the India Buildings last year.

Worthington Owen is acting for Sony on the deal.