Partners welcome BASF to their new UK Headquarters at Stockport Exchange

Global chemical company, BASF, is set to move its UK headquarters to Stockport town centre, after signing to take 21,500 sq ft at 2 Stockport Exchange – the second office building at the town’s most exciting and accessible business hub. 2 Stockport Exchange is anticipated to complete in February 2020, with BASF looking to move in later in the year.

Partners joined together recently to show representatives from BASF around their soon to be new home – a six storey, 61,500 sq ft Grade A office building in the heart of the Stockport Exchange scheme, with GMI Construction Group plc appointed as the building’s main contractor.

BASF has been operating in the UK since 1880, with 13 locations across the UK. BASF companies supply raw materials to most industries including agriculture, automotive chemicals, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals.

Richard Carter, managing director of BASF in the UK and Ireland, said: “We are looking forward to moving our UK headquarters from Cheadle to this exciting new ‘connected’ location later this year. Our new office space in Stockport Exchange will feature open and collaborative workspace to enable new and more agile ways of working.”

“The move is part of an ongoing Future of Work project which will deliver a better workplace experience through improved digitalisation, increased flexibility and empowered leadership.”

The wider £145m Stockport Exchange transformation, delivered in partnership by Stockport Council and national urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, sits centrally to the council’s ambitious £1bn regeneration programme. This includes a new transport interchange, which will build on Stockport’s first-class connectivity; the Mayoral Development Corporation – the first of its kind nationally – will create a new urban village with 3,500 homes and up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space.

Improvements to the historic Market Place have also created a thriving leisure destination, with ambitious plans for Merseyway Shopping Centre will soon be underway.

The scheme brings forward a unique offer; coupling striking design features, which includes an innovative stone façade, with a clear purpose to deliver a fully-accessible commercial space alongside the leisure centre, Holiday Inn, retail space and extensive public realm improvements.

Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Our vision for Stockport Exchange is to attract internationally renowned companies looking for, high quality development with excellent transport connections and with all the benefits of a modern town centre close by. We are delighted that BASF will be joining existing tenants musicMagpie, Stagecoach, Cafélito and Sainsburys at Stockport Exchange.

“The fact that BASF has decided to relocate to the town centre and has committed to securing two floors of office space shows real confidence in Stockport Exchange and the town as a great place to do business. I wish them well in their new home.”

Tom Webber, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “We’re delighted to welcome BASF to Stockport Exchange, who will take two floors in our second office building at the scheme. They will add to the growing list of high-profile office occupiers committing to this fantastic location, with occupier interest remaining strong.

“To attract a market-leading global organisation is testament to the partners of the scheme delivering a high-quality business environment and the increasing confidence in Stockport Exchange as South Manchester’s most accessible business hub.”

Cllr Elise Wilson, leader of Stockport Council, added: “Today marks a real milestone in what we have achieved in Stockport. Attracting high-calibre businesses like BASF to the town centre is what we set out to do and I am thrilled to welcome them to 2 Stockport Exchange.

“The building is looking fantastic and has been finished to a really high standard, complementing our ambitious plans for the town centre, like the Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create; the new transport interchange and improvements to Merseyway. 2 Stockport Exchange has proved to be a resounding success and I am really proud of this.”

Once complete, the wider Stockport Exchange development will deliver up to 375,000 sq ft of office space and 28,000 sq ft of commercial floor space.

Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE are appointed as joint agents for the scheme. Chris Mulcahy at JLL acted for BASF.