A 25,000 sq ft grade A office development at Wirral Waters completed at the end of 2021 has welcomed its first tenant. Tony McDonough reports
Modular housing provider Starship Group is the first tenant at the multi-million pound Hythe office development in Wirral Waters.
Hythe was completed at the end of 2021 and offers 25,000 sq ft of grade A office space aimed at SMEs. Hythe was backed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as well as securing £8.5m from Merseyside Pension Fund.
Wirral-based Starship is taking 4,682 sq ft at the development, close to the Birkenhead waterfront. It will relocate its head office which comprises a 20-strong onto half of the second floor in the building.
Starship designs and builds carbon zero homes throughout the UK, through the use of modular build technology, and installs them in just a day and a half. The sustainable homes include high-grade insulation to lower energy consumption whilst reducing energy bills for residents.
It also builds high-end residential properties along the west of the peninsula. The business was founded in 2020 following the merger of a number of property development and construction businesses and it was also behind the installation of three factory-built carbon-zero homes locally in New Ferry.
Speaking to LBN at the New Ferry site last year, Starship managing director Dave Dargan said: “We have a factory in Deeside where the houses are made. We are looking to open a second factory here in Wirral. It takes just a few days to make them in the factory and it takes just one day of installation before they are ready for fit-out.”
Starship will move into Hythe in April. Speaking this week Mr Dargan added: “When looking for a location for our head office, the synergy of innovation, sustainability, and local enterprise between Starship Group and Wirral Waters meant that Hythe was an amazing place to grow our business.”
Hythe is located in the Four Bridges neighbourhood of Wirral Waters, which already includes Wirral Met College and plans for Egerton Village, a waterside retail, leisure, arts and event space that will provide local amenities and facilities for the businesses and residential communities at Wirral Waters.
Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters at Peel L&P, added: “Starship’s endorsement of Hythe is great news for Wirral Waters. It is fantastic that Wirral businesses such as Starship are seeing the potential of this great location, along with its outstanding sustainability credentials, and are wanting to return to their local roots.
“Hythe also offers stunning views and innovative technology and I have no doubt that it will continue to attract more businesses and entrepreneurs to the Wirral, helping to accelerate growth and attract economic prosperity.”