NHS Liverpool CCG has taken 33,433 sq ft of office space at The Department (the former Lewis’s store) on Renshaw Street, marking Liverpool’s largest office letting of 2015 to date.

The deal by Bilfinger GVA is the first office pre-let in excess of 30,000 sq ft in the city centre since 2010 and sees NHS Liverpool CCG take floors three and four at the development on a new 10-year lease.

NHS Liverpool CCG will relocate its staff from Arthouse Square to The Department by the end of the year, when it will join existing tenant Pure Gym which moved into the development in spring.

The Department, which forms part of the Central Village scheme, is currently in the process of undergoing a comprehensive programme of refurbishment and remodelling being project managed by Bilfinger GVA. It will ultimately provide 75,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, a new double height reception entrance and fully refurbished common areas.

Ian Steele, director at Bilfinger GVA, said:

“The majority of deals in the marketplace in Liverpool to date have been dominated by lettings from SMEs so this deal represents a real milestone. This is also a significant letting for The Department ahead of its scheduled completion at the end of 2015.

“The remaining two office floors will also be speculatively refurbished to provide an additional 35,000 sq ft of Grade A offices. Following the deal with the CCG, we are extremely optimistic about letting the two additional office floors to occupiers looking for Grade A refurbished accommodation in an unrivalled central location.”

Bilfinger GVA and Hitchcock Wright are joint agents on the scheme.